Poll: The Clean Hypothesis

Hello, I am seeing a lot of references on the web (BBC, New Scientist, etc.) to research being done that has proven that people who have hookworm don't have asthma.

One of the big drug companies is studying this in England, at the University of Nottingham.

I was convinced that this was a route worth exploring, having researched hookworm it is clear that they are benign if the infection load is moderate and one is healthy and eats well.

So then I started looking for ways to get hookworm. no luck, until I found this person (not sure of gender): <a href="http://www.asthmahookworm.com">hookworm and asthma web site</a></br>

Is there something I am missing, I just can't see a problem with this except my squeamishness?

Asthma has ruined my life, this might ruin my afternoon. No contest. Am I missing something?

So, the question. Would you infect yourself with hookworm if it cured your asthma?

JJJ
Hi and welcome to HW! I think that would depend on the severity of my asthma. I don't have asthma but I think that if it totally affected my quality of life and I couldn't breathe no matter what I did, I would consider it. Though it is kind of creepy isn't it?? Now for his other theory about hookworms treating IBD's I would have to say a loud NO to that. People with IBD's have a hard enough time retaining nutrition, why would they want to compete for it with a worm?? His theories sound good but in reality I don't know.....it's one of those iffy things.