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The "classic" explanation I was always taught at school for the appendix was that it probably once had a purpose and may have assisted with the digestion of cellulose, but is now just a redundant feature.

However, some sources now seem to imply it does have a purpose, albeit a minor one - but these sources seem to disagree as to what this purpose is. Here's another which takes a different standpoint.

Is there a general scientific consensus on this?

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What are you skeptical of? You post a scientific journal that says it is a home of good bacteria. You can live with out a finger that does not mean that the finger is an evolutionary left over. – Chad Nov 26 '12 at 17:59
@Chad See the edit. That's one reference, I've just posted another that seems to suggest another use. I'm sceptical as to whether that one article is representative of general scientific consensus. – berry120 Nov 26 '12 at 18:17
I do not see a claim that there is scientific consensus. You would need a claim that there was to be skeptical of it. You can be skeptical of the claims in the article but unless you have a claim that a consensus exists you do not meet the requirements to be skeptical of it here. – Chad Nov 26 '12 at 18:19
Those two sources are not exclusive theories. They're pretty much the same; if the appendix is a little home for gut-friendly bacteria, then when the regular gut fauna is wiped out (antibiotics, parasites, infections, etc.) then the bacteria in the appendix migrate outwards and repopulates the intestines. – MCM Nov 26 '12 at 18:41
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The central issue is whether the evolutionary explanation of the appendix is right. This suggests its use was much more significant in our ancestors but is now fading. Creationists, on the other hand, would argue that it still has significant use (can't have useless features designed in). – matt_black Nov 27 '12 at 16:16

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