What were those times when we just got vaccinated before going on exotic vacation trips?
Or when, as a person without allergies and sensitivities, you ate everything you liked without first looking at the list of ingredients.
Today we have become much more careful.
After all, you don't want to take anything into your body uncritically.
However, refusal to vaccinate and meticulous attention to ingredients is far from enough.
The enemy also lurks in the air.
And that doesn't just mean unknown viruses, spores, pollen, fine dust, droplets and tiny fibers that we breathe in with every breath.
It's even worse, at least for those with a degree of skepticism about anything to do with "genes." Two research groups have now independently published studies in "Current Biology" that show that the air is teeming with foreign DNA. Both groups filtered air at different locations in Copenhagen Zoo and the UK's Hamerton Zoological Park. In both cases, the researchers were then able to detect DNA, multiply it, sequence it and assign it to different animal species in comparison with an extensive reference database. In fact, the DNA of nearby zoo animals could be identified in this way. The scientists even tracked down other animals such as house mice and rats.
The biologists are pleased that the method could be used in the future to find animal species in the wild, for example to track changes in biodiversity as a result of climate change.
What may be good news for species protection is of course worrying for gene phobics: Unthinkable if you kept the mRNA vaccine at bay in order to accidentally inhale monkey DNA in the zoo.
After all, it is reassuring that there is an antidote: With a well-fitting FFP2 mask you should be able to prevent the worst.