The year was 2012. A health epidemic like nothing ever seen before swept across the earth, killing 1/3 of the human population.

It is speculated that at some point late in 2011 the bacteria responded to increased electronic signals in the air and not only did their numbers skyrocket but they began to act differently. These bacteria were given the name DEM, a scientists humorous play at saying Don’t Eat Meat. The bacteria moved up out of the ground and onto grasses and plants. They were consumed by host animals who were not effected. It was not until these host animals were consumed that the problems began to show. Milk and eggs never were found to contribute to the problem.

Again, primates in the wild were also beginning to disappear, more so than animals in captivity, because wild monkeys often consumed meat. No other species were seen to be affected by this bacteria.

Hospitals were not only overwhelmed but understaffed, often turning victims away to die at home or in the streets.  With no cures there was nothing that could be done.  Many bodies were laid to rest in mass graves. 

As quickly as it started, the disease came to an end. No deaths were reported on either side of the year 2012.

Dead people - Okunoin cemetery by Stéfan.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/st3f4n/2746984904/

Japan was not hit as hard as other nations, it was supected this was due to a high rice content in their diet.

Facts Known

 

The final toll resulted in a 1/3 decrease in the human population.

Human population and activity prior contributed to regular bacteria mutating to this toxic form, known as DEM, specifically the use of electronics were put to blame.

Cooking did not have any affect.

The last victims died on December 21, 2012.

The only way to contact the disease was through eating meat infected with the DEM bacteria.

DEM bacteria where activated strongly world wide, nearly 75% of all plant eating animals were determined to be carriers.

DEM always required a host animal, humans who ate plants (or the bacteria) directly were not affected, unless they otherwise consumed meat. (Further pathology tests are still being done to determine how and why host animals are needed before becoming deadly).

No cure, no vaccination, has been found to date.

Bacteria by kaibara87 (away for 1 month!).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaibara/2234750993/

The Fall Out

Many scientists were quick to point out that for years they had been warning against disasters of this magnitude occurring as the result of human overpopulation. Even the United Nations had set out warnings that a sustainable population level would be 5 Billion people, and predicted problems. Including sounding alarms in 2008 as the population topped 6.7 Billion. These alarms largely went ignored.

Primates are today kept in controlled situations to monitor for future outbreaks.

Many cities have now allowed people to keep chickens for the purpose of producing eggs for consumption.

The meat industry took a beating, although considered safe, most meat is now only used as pet food.

The maximum usage allowed for most cell phones is now 5 minutes a day.

Many nations put in place population control measures, some only allowing one child per couple, others no longer providing financial assistance to families with more than two children.

 

Conspiracy Theories

 

Conspiracy Theories still exist. The most common being that the DEM bacteria was created by governments to control human population but somehow escaped. These conspiracy theorists put forth that a virus, HIV, was the result of an earlier test of using viruses to control population growth. This also was seen in primates and was known to cause AIDS in humans during the late 1900’s and still exists today, although is controlled now.

Factual Reading about the Earths Population Crisis

The Biggest R in Reduce Reuse Recycle

Solving the Over Population Problem

 

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Comments (5)
  • ken bultman on Sep 8, 2009

    A fascinating read, Brenda. If you’re going to espouse a cause this is as good a way as any I can think of. Wonderful job. The post doesn’t belong on Authspot, though…more of a Scienceray article…or sciencefictionray.

  • Darla Cooke on Sep 8, 2009

    Very interesting.

  • Nikita K on Sep 8, 2009

    Very very very interesting! I’m actually oddly intrigued, I must add! I thought it was a non fiction first but reading on, I was a tad confused and now I get it. A really well constructed story and I like the element of science in it as well. Brilliant work!

  • Ruby Hawk on Sep 8, 2009

    Well, I guess that would be the end of meat eaters. A very interesting story and I agree with Ken they should have published this on scienceray.

  • Patrick Bernauw on Sep 22, 2009

    A stunning piece of sci fi “faction”!

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