That germ theory is false

1- There is some debate over the definitions of scientific "theory" and "law." I address this for both the reader and my opponent, but to clarify, a "theory" is not a step below a "law." A theory does not graduate to a law; a theory explains facts. The "theory of evolution" doesn't dispute the fact that evolution exists, it explains evolution and how it exists. Similarly, the germ theory of disease acknowledges pathogens causes disease and explains why they do so. My opponent states that "it was only accepted because it was a way of making money out of gullible people." I would like a source for that, but I would also like to point out that epidemiology and the germ theory go hand in hand. Epidemiologists suggested changes such implementing water treatments, reducing crowding in living spaces, and vaccines (all of which drastically reducing the possibility of transmission), so I believe that this is incorrect. 2- There are a few sources that back up what my opponent is saying. The allegation that Pasteur stole his experiments may or may not be true, however, it doesn't mean the science is not correct. Even if another scientist deserves credit for his experiments, as often happens within the scientific community, if you were to check the flasks he used for turbidity even now, you would not find any. A clarification for the reader on Pasteur's experiment: 1- Pasteur prepared a nutrient broth and poured equal amounts in two long-necked flasks. 2- On one of the flasks, Pasteur bent the neck to make an s-like shape. Both broths were boiled to ensure sterility. 3- Both were left open to the air. After some weeks, Pasteur returned to observe the flasks 4- The flask whose neck was left alone contained broth that was contaminated. It was examined to be cloudy. The flask with the s-shaped neck remained clear, indicating its sterility. The purpose of Pasteur's experiment was to disprove the theory of spontaneous generation (after some scientists insisted that spontaneous generation didn't work unless the food or drink was exposed to air). This relates back to a process called Pasteurization that has drastically reduced the incidence of food poisoning. Between 1912 and 1937, 65,000 people died due to tuberculosis as a result of drinking contaminated raw milk. The CDC has reported that there is a 300% risk for hospitalization as a result of mishandled milk (as opposed to other foods)[1]. Milk is an excellent source of nutrients for both humans and bacteria, and the case for Pasteurization was finally made by a woman in Arizona named Jane Rider who formally published the link between infant mortality and raw milk [2]. Nowadays, Pasteurization is usually done by way of the HTST (high temperature, short time). Milk is heated in pipes at about 161 F for 15 seconds. Its efficacy is approximately 99.999%. according to the Journal of Food Protection [3]. 4- I believe my opponent is referring to an article called "Agriculture: The Worst Mistake Humans Ever Made." While I can't detail the entire article, I can touch on a few points. Part of the article alleges that agriculture created the problem of overcrowding, and while we can both agree that basic epidemiology calls for reduced crowding, agriculture does not have the sustained effect of overcrowding as it was experienced back in Paleolithic times. I cannot find either the 98% or 2% statistic, and I'd like to ask my opponent for a source on that as well. I'd also like to point out that what my opponent is saying about the endocrine, or hormone system, is false. In fact, one of the mentioned halogens, chlorine is a minor element. It is essential to the acid-base balance in the body and helps balance the charge of blood cells. Also, the allegation that the endocrine system is based on iodine is also false. My opponent might be referring to the thyroid hormone feedback loop that produces thyroxine, in which iodine is needed to bind it. A deficiency of iodine can cause hypothyroidism, a condition in which not enough thyroid hormone is produced. There are other feedback loops such as the RAAS (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone) system. This system is based upon blood pressure and dissolved solutes, not iodine, and there are many others. 5- The term "leaky gut" refers to a diagnosis that has yet to be made [4]. General symptoms such as bloating, gas, stomach cramps, and food sensitivity are all incredibly vague and could point anywhere. I will admit that some people have sensitivities to carbs, as I myself am one of them. However like allergies, it is not an all-encompassing thing. Additionally, the germ theory coincides with hormones pretty well. Cortisol, or the "stress hormone," actually reduces the effectiveness of the immune system. When a person experiences high levels of stress, they become sick more easily because the reduction of the effectiveness of the immune system, 6- Bacteria, viruses, prions, fungi, protozoa - they have the same directive that humans do. Survive Survive and reproduce. They have no malicious intent; they merely have found a place in which nutrients are abundant. A good parasite can find equilibrium with its host, however, most parasites aren"t "good." This is why most infections are intense and acute, because the body can figure out something is abundantly wrong as the pathogen immediately starts replicating and taking nutrients. My opponent also neglects the modes of transmission. Touching your eyes, nose, and mouth easily transmits pathogens - you"re physically putting them inside you. Being in a place in which someone has coughed or sneezed, breathing their air puts the pathogens inside you. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org... [2] https://www.azwhf.org... [3] https://en.wikipedia.org... [4]http://www.webmd.com...