TOW 9 - A Cure for the Allergy Epidemic? (Moises Velasquez-Manoff)

My father has always said “If you’re allergic to dogs, then we’ll get you a dog,” so when I saw an opinion page about a cure for allergies I was immediately curious. Moises Velasquez-Manoff’s article coincidentally supports the theory of my father with numerous studies and extensive research. Velasquez-Manoff adds to his own credibility by citing his research with professional allergists and then explaining they found after recently venturing into the Amish country in Indiana. Their interviews and reports found that those exposed to microbes from the farms at a younger age were less sensitive to allergies compared to those in urban areas. These facts not only add to Velasquez-Manoff’s reliability as a source, but also his finding’s credibility. I was not quick to believe my father when he said the same thing, but after hearing that there were scientific studies conducted, and that it’s not just a theory, I do not doubt it. Velasquez-Manoff applies this research to explain the dangers of urbanization and evolution. As the human race has become more evolved, we have moved from the local farm into “an apartment high above Manhattan.”  Velasquez-Manoff appeals to his audience’s emotional side by detaching the human race from their humble roots. An apartment in Manhattan, one of the most expensive cities to live in throughout America, creates the idea that people have become superficial and stuck-up; alone this would be just as depressing, but Velasquez-Manoff then says that this is one of the reasons why we are more sensitive to sickness. Anyone can feel deflated by this statement, not only the educated in Velasquez-Manoff’s audience who understand the science of it. Though Velasquez-Manoff specifies this idea to just “immunologically speaking,” the audience can infer deeper. Anyone who has ever felt detached from their roots can understand the depth of this statement. Their connection to the past is what makes “the farming Amish and farmers generally may more closely resemble an evolutionary norm for our species” immunologically speaking or not.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/10/opinion/sunday/a-cure-for-the-allergy-epidemic.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&adxnnl=1&ref=opinion&adxnnlx=1384092835-LrsQGBGRR/1q3C6npJSJoA