Metabolic detoxification and target site insensitivity- Insect survival cue to humans
We live in a world filled with nerve racking challenges that can either pull you down, drive you to the trenches of suicidal thoughts or eventually kill you. To successfully navigate this treacherous sojourn, you must pick all available compasses to illuminate and guide your path or else you would be lost. One of such compasses to live a happy life can be found in the world of insects and I am here to share with you one amongst such compasses from what the world holds if you are ready to accept it.
Science can be the most lonely and boring realm to delve into, but you would be shocked to find those who tread this path the most passionate individuals. What keeps them going you might ask is nothing but the amazing awe-inspiring wonders that is inherent in nature. Entomology is not an exception in this regard, thus it is unsurprising to see numerous referrals to insects in the Qur’an (to the extent that even a chapter was named after the ants — Suratu Naml; the 16th chapter) as well as in the bible (Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! Proverbs 6:6). For those who do not know, insects account for more than 90% of all living animal forms and they have successfully colonized the air, in and above the sea as well as in and above the land. They have competed with humans for resources on earth and till date, they remain our greatest enemy.
Since 2000BC, humans have waged wars against insects through the use of insecticides. Insects devour our food plants both on the field and in storage and they serve as vectors of debilitating diseases like malaria, dengue, zika, filariasis e.t.c (that is just examples from mosquitos alone among a dozen and more). Either on the plants or on humans, insects can ruin the whole population of human beings in a very short while. To defeat this enemy, humans apply a different range of insecticides, yet, we have been unsuccessful in that attempt. As a matter of fact, we hurt ourselves in the process of insect control and all to no avail, insects are waxing stronger in their resistance to insecticides. How do they manage to survive despite our advancement in scientific and technological prowess evident in the chemicals we use in controlling them? And how can we learn from them to live a happy life?
For starters, when chemical insecticides are “sprayed” or applied to insects, they are absorbed into the body system of the insect. For the insecticide to work, it would have to either defeat the immune system of the insect body by blocking the works of the detoxifying enzymes against foreign invaders (Just like human liver) or locate the site of action where it would be potent (for insecticides of nervous system). Over the years, insects have been able to defuse this bomb mainly by increasing their metabolic detoxification process and decreasing the sensitivity of the target site of the insecticide. It was so shocking when this discovery was made as early as in the 1950s how a process so much complex as this can be achieved by animals as little as the insects. Recent findings reported that this insecticidal resistance phenomenon is a pre-adaptive condition i.e it has been there even before the insect was exposed to the insecticide. They are present as recessive genetic makeup of the insect and do not express themselves in the life of the unexposed insect. You might want to ask how this translates into a happy or successful life! Well, let us cut to the chase!
No one wants to be thrown into any form of trial or tribulations in life. We detest tests despite knowing it is the only key to unlock our promotion and progress in life. From being a toddler, we prefer to transmogrify into a walking adult individual while forgetting that it is the experiences we encounter along the way to adulthood that make or mar us. In any shape, form or type, humans naturally hate anything that would take them out of their comfort zone. Either you like it or not, you would be tested by God. Among the tradition of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, we learned that “Allah only test those he loves”, and for those who do not know, “testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:2–4).
The Quran tells us; “Allah does not burden anyone, except with something within its capacity;…” (Q2:286) and believing this would grant you a better understanding of the ways of the insect. We are all created with that inherent ability to withstand any trials or tribulations thrown in our way. Whatever phase you are passing through in life, know that it is what you have the capacity to withstand, no matter how strong the wind is.
Just like the insects bring out that genetic makeup to help it withstand the insecticide that is bent on killing it, how much more we who have been favoured above all creations. Insects subdue the areas in their genes that are targets of insecticides, why can’t you turn a blind eye to those thoughts, people, scenario, occasion, position that would kill you or make your existence in this world a nightmare.
Many are the people that have been destroyed because they have failed to identify the leaking and destructive points in their life. It may manifest in the type of friends you hang around with or the habit you cannot stop yourself doing. Begin that process of self-healing right now. Because, the truth must be said, it is a very long journey that only the brave can survive. Except you have given up all hope (which you should not do), that is when you should not keep in the fight. If not for anything, do it for the progenies that would come after you who would bear your name and carry on your heritage. Increase the rate at which you detoxify your body from destructive tendencies and work hard to blank out on things or people that would kill you. For verily if insects increase their metabolic detoxification process and decrease the sensitivity of the target site of the insecticide, you also can do these to save you from eternal destruction.
Till another time when the world of insects would inspire us on how to live a happy life- remain insectified