Scientist who named parasite after Obama meant it as a 'compliment'

The Washington Examiner ^ | September 16, 2016 | Pete Kasperowicz

[kevcol]

A scientist who named a new species of parasite after President Obama defended his decision, and said that it was meant to honor Obama, not insult him.

"Before you accuse me of being some kind of hater, racist or worse — as plenty have — let me be clear: I absolutely intended it as an honor," retired biology professor Thomas Platt wrote in the Washington Post late Thursday.
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Platt named his new species Baracktrema obamai, which is a flatworm that lives in the blood systems of the hosts they inhabit.

[kevcol]

[MNDude]

“Scientist who named parasite after Obama meant it as a ‘compliment”

And it is one.

[IamConservative]

I feel for parasites everywhere.

[tired&retired]

There Are Now Seven Species Named After President Obama
And two of them are parasites. By Matt Miller

President Barack Obama now has the distinction of having two such creatures named after him. The newly named Baracktrema obamai is the second parasite named for the 44th president, according to the Associated Press, following a parasitic hairworm found in the Lake Victoria region of Kenya in 2012.

Discovered by biologist Thomas Platt last year, B. obamai is a blood fluke, a tiny flatworm that resides in the blood vessels of the lungs of its hosts, Malaysian freshwater turtles. Its presence can cause at best mild inflammation and at worst paralysis or death

That may be true, but it’s tough to consider the naming of slime-mold beetles after former President George W. Bush, former Vice President Dick Cheney, and former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld an act of praise. The AP story also included the anecdote about a biologist naming another parasite species group “microphallus” … after her ex-husband.

In addition to the two parasites, Obama has loaned his name to a fish from Tennessee, an apparent appreciation of his commitment to conservation; an extinct lizard, for his impeccable teeth; and a bird and a trapdoor spider, both for no discernable reason. He’s also lent his name to a Californian lichen, named way back in 2008, “for the president’s support of science and science education.”

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2016/09/blood_fluke_baracktrema_obamai_is_the_seventh_organism_named_after_president.html

[nickedknack]

Communus Wormus

[Liz]

AP reports the newly-named parasite---Baracktrema obamai---is the second parasite named for the 44th president (following a parasitic hairworm found in the Lake Victoria region of Kenya in 2012). The new "B. obamai" is a blood fluke, a tiny flatworm that resides in the blood vessels of the lungs of Malaysian freshwater turtles. Its presence can cause at best mild inflammation...... and at worst paralysis, or death...

So when are they gonna name a parasite after Michele? The vacationing prima donna is more than deserving. I suggest something that lurks in foreign waters that sickens visitors.

[D Rider]

Platt named his new species Baracktrema obamai, which is a flatworm that lives in the blood systems of the hosts they inhabit.

When things are right, just go with them.

[Telepathic Intruder]

So now one can even more accurately refer to Obama as a parasitic flatworm.

[Cboldt]

The worm was not amused ...

[uncitizen]

Yes, comparing obama to a parasite is a compliment. Because in reality he’s much worse than that.

Do you think this scientist got a call from the WH to explain this naming decision as a compliment? Or is he just covering himself so he doesn’t end up dead in a single car accident with his cars engine across the highway.

[TnTnTn]

It is a horrific insult-to the newly identified parasitic worm.

[Kirkwood]

That’s specieist!

[onedoug]

PARASITE

[bgill]

The fool scientist just stuck us with Zero forever.

[GreenHornet]

Scientist who named parasite after Obama meant it as a 'compliment'

I think the parasite should sue this guy for defamation of character.

[Gay State Conservative]

Now one could suspect that this flatworm doesn't do the host a whole lotta good as it inhabits its blood system.In fact,most such organisms,having invaded the body of another creature,are typically known to do that creature harm.

So naming it after our Community Organizer-In-Chief is very fitting indeed.

[V K Lee]

Right. And the fact that it is a worm is fitting indeed.

[piasa]

At least slime mold beetles are harmless...