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Jack Aidley
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No, we do not.

Although this figure is widely cited (as per Oliver_C's answer), it is based on rather old data (paywalled, unfortunately), and these estimates are now thought to be inaccurate. A recent estimate by Sender, Fuchs, and MiloSender, Fuchs, and Milo puts it at a close to one-to-one ratio of human to microbial cells:

Our analysis updates the widely-cited 10:1 ratio, showing that the number of bacteria in our bodies is actually of the same order as the number of human cells. Indeed, the numbers are similar enough that each defecation event may flip the ratio to favor human cells over bacteria.

Less dense articles reporting these findings can be read [url=http://www.gutmicrobiotaforhealth.com/en/11-is-new-estimated-ratio-of-bacterial-to-human-cells/]here[/url]here and [url=http://www.nature.com/news/scientists-bust-myth-that-our-bodies-have-more-bacteria-than-human-cells-1.19136]here[/url]here (Nature).

No, we do not.

Although this figure is widely cited (as per Oliver_C's answer), it is based on rather old data (paywalled, unfortunately), and these estimates are now thought to be inaccurate. A recent estimate by Sender, Fuchs, and Milo puts it at a close to one-to-one ratio of human to microbial cells:

Our analysis updates the widely-cited 10:1 ratio, showing that the number of bacteria in our bodies is actually of the same order as the number of human cells. Indeed, the numbers are similar enough that each defecation event may flip the ratio to favor human cells over bacteria.

Less dense articles reporting these findings can be read [url=http://www.gutmicrobiotaforhealth.com/en/11-is-new-estimated-ratio-of-bacterial-to-human-cells/]here[/url] and [url=http://www.nature.com/news/scientists-bust-myth-that-our-bodies-have-more-bacteria-than-human-cells-1.19136]here[/url] (Nature).

No, we do not.

Although this figure is widely cited (as per Oliver_C's answer), it is based on rather old data (paywalled, unfortunately), and these estimates are now thought to be inaccurate. A recent estimate by Sender, Fuchs, and Milo puts it at a close to one-to-one ratio of human to microbial cells:

Our analysis updates the widely-cited 10:1 ratio, showing that the number of bacteria in our bodies is actually of the same order as the number of human cells. Indeed, the numbers are similar enough that each defecation event may flip the ratio to favor human cells over bacteria.

Less dense articles reporting these findings can be read here and here (Nature).

Source Link
Jack Aidley
  • 2.6k
  • 2
  • 20
  • 20

No, we do not.

Although this figure is widely cited (as per Oliver_C's answer), it is based on rather old data (paywalled, unfortunately), and these estimates are now thought to be inaccurate. A recent estimate by Sender, Fuchs, and Milo puts it at a close to one-to-one ratio of human to microbial cells:

Our analysis updates the widely-cited 10:1 ratio, showing that the number of bacteria in our bodies is actually of the same order as the number of human cells. Indeed, the numbers are similar enough that each defecation event may flip the ratio to favor human cells over bacteria.

Less dense articles reporting these findings can be read [url=http://www.gutmicrobiotaforhealth.com/en/11-is-new-estimated-ratio-of-bacterial-to-human-cells/]here[/url] and [url=http://www.nature.com/news/scientists-bust-myth-that-our-bodies-have-more-bacteria-than-human-cells-1.19136]here[/url] (Nature).