大象传媒

Parasites聽and the聽human race have co-existed since the earliest of times. We may get a little squeamish over聽worms聽inside the body聽and blood-sucking creatures, but parasites聽do have functions in the natural world and are a part of ecosystems whether we like them or not. This week, Adam Walton focuses on a few that we may encounter in our day-to-day lives.

He talks to Prof Peter Brophy, of IBERS at Aberystwyth University, about the importance of finding new vaccines and drugs to treat parasitical worms, which can have a devastating impact on聽animal welfare.

Dr Ian Burgess, an entomologist who specialises in聽headlice, explains聽how these clever critters have evolved to survive most of the treatments we have thrown at them over the centuries.

Dr Liz Chadwick talks about her research聽on聽roadkill otters, which is yielding useful information on several parasites, including Toxoplasma Gondii.

And Prof Jo Cable, a member of聽Cardiff Research into Infection, Parasites and Ecological Systems - or CRIPES for short - tells Adam why parasites can also be a force for good.

Just a word of warning聽though -聽enjoy this programme outside of mealtimes!

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