Imagine a world where viruses strategize, bacteria collaborate and fungal infections communicate. This is a world where diseases have evolved intelligence. Antibiotics start wars, both sides eager to end the other’s reign. Who will survive? Will there be collaboration? And most importantly, what about the ethics of antibiotics then?

Imagine a world where viruses strategize, bacteria collaborate and fungal infections communicate. This is a world where diseases have evolved intelligence. Antibiotics start wars, both sides eager to end the other’s reign. Who will survive? Will there be collaboration? And most importantly, what about the ethics of antibiotics then?

This highly unrealistic scenario is virtually impossible, as intelligent beings have multicellular brains, whilst most diseases are unicellular. However, diseases have shown signs of something similar to teamwork like biofilms and colonies. 

Slime molds are unicellular organisms that can live alone, but prefer to live in colonies. They can solve simple problems like going over obstacles, or following a trail towards food. This is hardly ‘intelligence’ but is still a sign of an early form of teamwork. They can also communicate using ‘Quorum Sensing’ where they send out chemicals that other bacteria can detect.

This highly unrealistic scenario is virtually impossible, as intelligent beings have multicellular brains, whilst most diseases are unicellular. However, diseases have shown signs of something similar to teamwork like biofilms and colonies. 

Slime molds are unicellular organisms that can live alone, but prefer to live in colonies. They can solve simple problems like going over obstacles, or following a trail towards food. This is hardly ‘intelligence’ but is still a sign of an early form of teamwork. They can also communicate using ‘Quorum Sensing’ where they send out chemicals that other bacteria can detect.

A bacterium that can think for itself is already terrifying. But a bacterium that can think for itself will realise that other bacteria have the same goal: to conquer. They could team up on a human, floods of bacteria overwhelming the immune system before the traditional ones would even be able to split twice. Those who have been unvaccinated could be more susceptible than ever, as they could strategically conquer the weak. Some could go undercover, taking over the roles of other cells before showing any symptoms.

The possibilities would be endless. Hospitals would house nations of pathogens, and every cut, every scratch would be a frontline of a deadly battle. Their numbers and thirst for dominion would make them an unstoppable menace. 

Pathogenic intelligence may also cause ethical and philosophical problems, as, before this change, humans did not feel morally compromised when using antibiotics, but now, as it is a known fact that bacteria can think for themselves, the situation is a little more complicated. This may also increase discrimination, as people who have a history of being infected multiple times may be seen as favourable by pathogens, and may be excluded from public spaces to prevent spreading.

What does intelligence mean if even bacteria could have it?

Intelligence would still have the same definition: the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills. However, the way we would use the word would change drastically. Now that this word is applicable to even the smallest of microbes, being called ‘intelligent’ would not be a speciality.

Would humans lose their moral superiority?

For long, humans have considered themselves superior to all forms of life as we have developed true intelligence which surpasses that of any living creature. With the smallest, most basic forms of life being able to problem solve and strategize, humanity would no longer have the right to think of themselves as superior.

Are we justified in destroying something that can think?

Now that pathogens have developed intelligence, using weapons of mass destruction like antibiotics would be immoral. But, this wouldn’t really stop some of us, as, after all, humanity has used nuclear weapons and toxic gas in warfare before, and most people would consider it as sort of a war.

Do we only care about ethics when it affects us?

However, despite happily massacring millions of microorganisms with a single shot of antibiotic, when anything unjust or unethical concerns us, we jump straight to the scene, defending our fellows from any kind of harm.

Despite all this, there might be some bacteria that realize that if their host dies, they will too. They might begin to develop sympathy and initiate biosymbiosis with their hosts (us). We might begin to unite with them, to ensure the survival of both our species. Of course, we might be too ignorant to realize collaboration is the answer, and massacre each other in large numbers, until both of us would end up extinct. Thankfully, the rise of intelligent pathogens aren’t very likely any time soon so are all right!