[azraelswrd]

Nothing stops dead skunk...

You're right Will. By having machines protect/shield our bodies from microorganisms, our body may not develop the right immuno response to deal with something that would otherwise be addressed. Another side-effect is the overuse of anti-bacterial agents in promoting the development and growth of stronger organisms that develop mutations and defenses that the anti-bacterial agents select for (and cannot act against).

That's why getting an infection in a hospital is really bad -- chances are that the bug is more resilient than its distant cousin because it has been selected to survive in such a "sterile" environment and more likely to be resistant to conventional countermeasures.

I prefer that other saying -- what does not kill you, will make you stronger. By allowing our bodies to be exposed to germs/microbes, the memory cells in the IR will "remember" them for future attacks and act appropriately. Now, I'm not saying we all shoot ourselves up with the thousands of known diseases, but letting our natural defenses work is better in the long run.

Another downside of excessive antiseptic/disinfectant usage -- they can kill symbiotic or mutualistic microorganisms and allow opportunistic pathogens to take residence. Not good.

But on the flip side, sometimes its necessary to stop our body from overreacting in allergies or autoimmune diseases. Otherwise, our own bodies will do more harm than good without realizing it.