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There has been some discussion of late regarding human feces in the High Peaks. Winter hikers are said to drop trou' and do their thing then leave their offering for the spring hikers to admire. Many summer hikers, surprised by a biological urge far from a privy, subscribe to the dump and leave it method. Well, there are LNT proponents who suggest (and practice) packing out one's solid waste. (Poop packing)
Giardia of course is a genuine concern, isn't it? I know I filter my water. So in this modern era of nanotechnology and genetically modified organisms I came up with what may well be a perfectly elegant solution to this dirty problem.
Here it is:
With all this talk about what to do with human sewage in the back country I got to thinking of different solution. Call it thinking outside the box if you will.
As you know, maggots, dung beetles and other insects have no trouble ingesting and thriving on human feces. Obviously, they benefit from a genetic endowment that enables them to produce the appropriate enzymes or antibodies to neutralize the microrganisms that abound therein.
You may also have heard of genetic engineering in agriculture, genetic therapy in health care, genetic doping in Olympic sports.
Now, suppose it became possible to splice the genes of the maggot into the hiker’s genotype. I’m sure by now you get my drift. The ultimate alternative to packin’ poop. In fact, some individuals might decide they can save on weight by doing their food “shopping†at the privy. (As long as supplies last) I can see it now: people waiting in line for the privy with a bowl and spoon instead of a roll of TP. This would give an entirely new meaning to the expression, “a $hit eating grin†wouldn’t it?
Now if that wasn't enough try this:I think "How to $hit in the Woods" should be required reading for anybody who goes into the wilds. However, on page 39 there is one totally over-the-top reference to a guy who must have gotten a special recognition plaque from LNT for this.
I quote:
"...not something I personally recommend, ...leave it for you to decide...
a correspondant I've duly dubbed the Enema Man. In a short typed note he graciously shares his practice of holing up in a motel to flush his colon the night before striking out for a weekend of fishing."
Giardia of course is a genuine concern, isn't it? I know I filter my water. So in this modern era of nanotechnology and genetically modified organisms I came up with what may well be a perfectly elegant solution to this dirty problem.
Here it is:
With all this talk about what to do with human sewage in the back country I got to thinking of different solution. Call it thinking outside the box if you will.
As you know, maggots, dung beetles and other insects have no trouble ingesting and thriving on human feces. Obviously, they benefit from a genetic endowment that enables them to produce the appropriate enzymes or antibodies to neutralize the microrganisms that abound therein.
You may also have heard of genetic engineering in agriculture, genetic therapy in health care, genetic doping in Olympic sports.
Now, suppose it became possible to splice the genes of the maggot into the hiker’s genotype. I’m sure by now you get my drift. The ultimate alternative to packin’ poop. In fact, some individuals might decide they can save on weight by doing their food “shopping†at the privy. (As long as supplies last) I can see it now: people waiting in line for the privy with a bowl and spoon instead of a roll of TP. This would give an entirely new meaning to the expression, “a $hit eating grin†wouldn’t it?
Now if that wasn't enough try this:
I quote:
"...not something I personally recommend, ...leave it for you to decide...
a correspondant I've duly dubbed the Enema Man. In a short typed note he graciously shares his practice of holing up in a motel to flush his colon the night before striking out for a weekend of fishing."
! To wash it down with afterwards? 
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