Life Needs Diseases

The colonies of uninvited microbes have been defeated by my immune system, as they always are. The microbes did carry a successful insurgency, but they didn't have home field advantage. In the long run, as long as the body lives, the immune system rules.

"Hey Moopa," I asked my friendly alien, "what did you say about your species not having to deal with microbes on your planet?"

Moopa was lighting up a bong. Again. As he exhaled, he began laughing uncontrollably.

"Are you sure you're alright, Moopa?"

The sunset was once again visible from my front window. The seasons were changing, once more. Winter sure wasn't what it used to be. It feels like there has been more rain than snow in Montreal this winter.

"You see, Peejay," said Moopa, "diseases are bad for an individual, but they are great for a species. It's only by getting sick that advanced biological organisms -such as you and me- can evolve and become stronger. Life needs diseases."

I walked towards the living room and sat in front of Moopa, who was taking another hit. Within seconds, a beautiful white and blue smog hung in the air.

"So," I asked, "how did you deal with diseases on Buurodiz?"

Moopa looked at me with both of his pitch dark eyes, and said: "You're not gonna like it."

"Try me."

Moopa paused. "Humans would never do that... I don't think, anyway."

"Do what?"

"Well," he said hesitantly, "We take unwanted unborns, disable their cognitive abilities before they can develop any, and we used their body as chemical labs."

I stared at Moopa, not sure what to say. "What, you mean like clones?"

"Something like that Peejay, but they are and have always been unconscious... It's similar to what you call 'stem cells' around here."

I stopped smoking weed a few years ago, for several different reasons. But suddenly, I felt an urge to indulge.

The flask containing pure energy was sitting on the coffee table between us. Moopa still hadn't explain how that worked, but the night was young.

"Pass me that bong, Moopa."