When fiction becomes fact: exaggerating host manipulation by parasites.

ABSTRACT: In an era where some find fake news around every corner, the use of sensationalism has inevitably found its way into the scientific literature. This is especially the case for host manipulation by parasites, a phenomenon in which a parasite causes remarkable change in the appearance or behaviour of its host. This concept, which has deservedly garnered popular interest throughout the world in recent years, is nearly 50 years old. In the past two decades, the use of scientific metaphors, including anthropomorphisms and science fiction, to describe host manipulation has become more and more prevalent. It is possible that the repeated use of such catchy, yet misleading words in both the popular media and the scientific literature could unintentionally hamper our understanding of the complexity

SUBMITTER: Doherty JF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7657867 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature