Scientists like Barack Obama so much that they named a parasite after him

[Sunlei]

https://img.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=&w=1484
President Obama waves as he boards Air Force One after the closing ceremony of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. (Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images)


Other presidents have mountains named after them. They're the namesakes for high schools, boulevards, space centers, libraries, airports, and elk. George Washington has the capital of our country named for him, for crying out loud. But how many of them have the dubious honor of being the namesake for a parasitic worm?

World, meet Baracktrema obamai, a deadly turtle pathogen named in honor of our current president. Believe it or not, it's supposed to be a compliment. The new genus and species of parasitic flatworm was introduced this week in an article in the Journal of Parasitology. The tiny creatures, which are the thickness of a human hair, invade the lungs of freshwater turtles in Malaysia, often with deadly consequences.

Thomas Platt, a turtle disease expert who discovered the new species shortly before his recent retirement from St. Mary's College, said that the name is meant to honor President Obama — not gross him out. Though most people (understandably) aren't big parasite fans, Platt has a deep respect for the resilient little creatures.

They “face incredible obstacles to complete their [life cycles] and must contend with the immune system of the host in order to mature and reproduce,” he said in a statement.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2016/09/09/scientists-like-barack-obama-so-much-that-they-named-a-parasite-after-him/

[PdxSean]

1. Bullsh*t!

Not a phuqing compliment. Such a naming begets the predictable responses as shown in the comments to the original article.

[Sunlei]

5. The haters in comments- Fear the Baracktrema obamai !

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[Avalux]

2. It's definitely a compliment coming from a biologist.

Platt respects the creature and recognizes the obstacles it has to overcome to survive. Obama has had to do that as president.

I understand how some who are not scientists may get hung up on the word "parasite" though.

[PdxSean]

4. Riiiiiight.

One doesn't need to be a scientist to get the "overcoming obstacles" analogy. Organic cow poo is a great garden fertilizer, but I doubt scientists would consider it a compliment if we called them Bush Patties in honor of George the Second.

[Avalux]

6. So you can't imagine how excited this biologist was to discover and name a living creature?

Have a nice day!

[BootinUp]

3. Holy diseases! I'm crackin up over this story!!!!!!!