Viruses are usually associated exclusively with diseases because of its ability to invade organisms and cause infections. These microorganisms can cause mild infections, such as the common cold, or serious illnesses, such as smallpox.
However, not all viruses are harmful; Some play a protective role and even help fight diseasesThese viruses are becoming an effective solution against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which are responsible for the deaths of thousands of people each year.
The question is: are there “bad” viruses and “good” viruses? In this article, we will explore this idea and how viruses can affect living things both negatively and positively.
Viruses
Knowledge of viruses has progressed considerably. In the past, only the harmful effects they caused were known. However, It has been found that they can provide benefits to humans.
Working with viruses has always been very difficult, due to their small size, which is on average about 100 nanometers. With the development of new technologies, can now be studied in depth. This allowed us to understand its biology and its applications in various scientific fields.
Thanks to advances in technology and molecular biology, Viruses have become valuable tools for genetic engineering. These advances help solve important problems.
Currently There is a new approach in which viruses can be used in a controlled and beneficial way. This is similar to what happened with the discovery of the use of bacteria, plants and animals in agriculture and livestock farming since ancient times.
Viruses and evolution
Viruses are intracellular parasites that must infect cells in order to reproduce. During this process, they alter or destroy these cells. However, its interaction with humans has been essential in evolution. About 9% of the human genome comes from viruses.
An example is the gene responsible for the production of syncytin.. This is a protein that is crucial for the implantation of the placenta in the uterus. Without this protein, no pregnancy would be possible, which would have led to the extinction of our species.
Furthermore, Viruses act as an evolutionary pressure factor since our origins as a species. They have helped shape the human being as we know it today. In fact, each person hosts a large number of viruses. This is known as the “human virome” and is made up of approximately 380,000 billion virions.
These viruses play a fundamental role in the regulation of the bacterial populationespecially in the intestine. There, they help prevent the uncontrolled growth of bacteria that could cause health problems such as diarrhea. Without viruses, the bacterial balance in our body would be seriously impaired.
Bacteriophages
Bacteriophages are viruses that exclusively infect bacteria.. To reproduce, they must enter a bacterial cell and multiply there. Unlike other viruses, phages pose no risk to humans, animals, plants or the environment. This makes them a promising tool in the fight against resistant bacteria.
One of the main advantages of bacteriophages over antibiotics is their specificity. Although antibiotics are generally broad-spectrum, affecting both pathogenic and beneficial bacteria, Phages attack only targeted bacteria.
In the same way, Bacteriophages are effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Once inside a bacterium, they automatically replicate and increase the ability to fight infections.
As the effectiveness of antibiotics declines due to bacterial resistance, Bacteriophages have emerged as a viable alternative for the treatment of infections.
Since they have the ability to multiply within the bacteria they infect, Its power increases over time. This is in contrast to antibiotics, which tend to be less effective with long-term use. Some viruses offer hope in the fight against bacterial infections. Further research in this area is very important.
The role of viruses in ecosystems
Viruses also play a role an important role in ecosystems. For example, viruses that infect phytoplankton can influence ocean dynamics and nutrient cycling. In addition, they can help control populations of bacteria and other microorganisms, thereby maintaining ecological balance.
Conclusion
Classifying viruses as “bad” or “good” is simplistic and does not reflect the complexity of their interaction with living organisms. Although many viruses are pathogens that cause disease, others can be valuable tools in medicine and ecology. Understanding this duality is essential for the development of new therapies and for the conservation of biodiversity. Virology research continues to reveal the importance of viruses on human health and the environment.
Recommended Readings
Virus, general
Bacteria and viruses, how we defend ourselves
