Are we human? Really?

Question

Science has recently discovered that the number of human cells in our bodies is outnumbered by bacteria cells.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5527426

Remember in the movie The Matrix, when Agent Smith is telling Morpheus that the human race doesn't act like mammals at all, but instead acts more like a virus? How we spread unchecked across the globe, devouring and destroying all the natural resources we come into contact with? In essence, that we are basically parasites living off the Earth?

Here's my question: since we are (technically and scientifically speaking) more bacteria than mammal, is it possible that we end up THINKING and ACTING more like bacteria than mammals?

Now I know that the science-fearing Christian evangelicals that seem to have infested Yahoo Answers are going to yell and scream at me and tell me that I'm going to Hell, but let's put that aside and actually put some thought into our answers, shall we?

I'm not taking something from a movie and basing a scientific hypothesis from it... that would be stupid. I'm basing my ideas on how the human animal uses its environment on observation. I mentioned The Matrix to use a frame of reference that non-scientists could relate to.

Don't focus on The Matrix thing... that's not the point of the question.

Oh, and to say that viruses are not alive is not definitively true. From Wikipedia:

'It has been argued extensively whether viruses are living organisms. A definitive answer is still elusive due to the fact that some organisms considered to be living exhibit characteristics of both living and non-living particles, as viruses do.'

Answer 1

Being human is more than discussing the aggredation of cells that compose our bodies. It is about our higher reasoning ability and is due to the grey matter (cerebreum cortex ?) that gives rise to this ability. Evolution is probably about the gathering of primitive cells with specalized functions to create higher beings, such a bacteria. No one should doubt that mitocondria or chloroplasts, which contain their own DNA sequences could function better in a cellular environment as the Archean seas became depleted of chemicals they freely utilized prior to advanced life.

Answer 2

Well, first of all its not good to quote that scene from the Matrix, simply because virus's replicate using a host cell and are not considered living organisms.

Secondly, we spread across the globe because we are mentally superior to do so. If any other creature on this Earth was able to, it would as well... and so with your logic, you could call ALL life on Earth a 'parasite' if it were just given the chance.

In regards to your question: Bacteria are much MUCH smaller than human cells, and therefore it is only logical that there would be more of them in our body. The bacteria do not control us in any way, though... and to suggest so would require much more explaination as to why you would think that would happen.

Answer 3

Yes, we really are. Any other mammal would do exactly what we do (i.e. spread like viruses) if they had no natural enemies. In fact, every species on this planet behaves in such a way as to reproduce as much as possible. To my knowledge, there has never been a species, other than humans, that will take an action specifically geared for slowing its population growth. The only reason their populations stay in check and ours doesn't, is that we don't get eaten, run out of food, or get forced out of our habitats by other creatures.

Answer 4

Humans have choices to make. Environmentalists choose not to spread out and devour all natural resources (not that I am one). A virus does those things because it was programmed to do it. Humans can do something they weren't programmed to do.

This is a very BS, existentialist question. Yes we are humans. No, the Matrix isn't real. If you are a philosophy major, I weep for you.