A dangerous tick-borne illness that leaves victims unable to eat red meat is quietly spreading across the U.S., raising alarms years after the World Economic Forum floated the idea of using the ticks in a “human engineering” scheme to curb global meat consumption.
Known as Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS), the condition is caused by the bite of the Lone Star tick, which injects a sugar molecule called alpha-gal into the body. This molecule triggers a potentially severe allergic reaction to red meat and other mammal-based products.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 110,000 suspected cases of Alpha-gal Syndrome were reported between 2010 and 2022, however the true number is believed to be much higher due to underdiagnosis and lack of awareness in the medical community.
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“Every week, I hear of more cases near me,” said Dr Ben Braddock. “Some farmers and ranchers can’t even go near their livestock. The government needs to treat this with much more urgency.”
In a 2016 panel discussion at the World Science Festival, bioethicist Dr. S. Matthew Liao explored speculative ideas about “human engineering” to address climate change, including reducing meat consumption.
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Liao mentioned the Lone Star tick’s possible role in “engineering” humanity by causing red meat allergies, heralding the possibility as an example of how biology can influence dietary habits.
The Lone Star tick, once found mainly in the southeastern U.S., is now spreading northward and westward, for unknown reasons, according to a 2023 report by the CDC.
Until more aggressive action is taken, or a cure is found, experts recommend wearing long clothing outdoors, using insect repellent, and checking for ticks after exposure to wooded or grassy areas.
