In an article in the Los Angeles Times, researchers from Harvard and Columbia universities discussed genetically engineering parasites to work in the digestive tract. The most promising candidate is Giardia, the protozoan that causes intense diarrhea and gas. It also secretes a chemical that blocks the digestion of animal fat. If, through bio-technology, the diarrhea-inducing capacity could be bred out of the bug, Giardia colonies implanted in the bowels could serve as permanent on-site fat-fighters. The name of the intervention? The Parasite Diet, of course.
