Yes! But not like the movies. The “zombie apocalypses” considered by science are, in fact, situations in which many people would be living with the same disease or illness. Their behavior would not necessarily be the same as in fiction, but none the less frightening for that. And it’s not paranoia: the US and Canada already have guidelines for the zombie apocalypse. In all possible hypotheses, the chance of generalized infection is high. Get ready.
TAKE THIS QUIZ: WOULD YOU SURVIVE A ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE?
THE COMING OF THE LIVING DEAD
Viruses, drugs and even nanobots: we are heading towards zombification faster than you think…
THING IN YOUR HEAD
ORIGIN: Protozoan
CHANCE TO ROLL: 4/5
Transmissible by blood, Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan capable of controlling the brain of rats, possibly causing changes in behavior. As the human brain is similar to that of rats, a mutation in the protozoan (something commonplace in genetics) would be enough for us to become a bunch of deranged people. Doubt? Know that, currently, the common version of the animal is already in the body of half the world’s population
WORSE THAN CRACOLANDIA
ORIGIN: Drugs
CHANCE TO ROLL: 3/5
“Bath salts” are a cheap, inhalable, ingestible drug that causes panic, paranoia, and violent behavior. In 2012, under its influence, an American from New Jersey began throwing part of his intestine at police officers. Another ate his pet dog, and a third bit a neighbor’s face. And, yes, the effects can be permanent.
ZOMBIE CYBORG ATTACK
ORIGIN: Undead cell
CHANCE TO ROLL: 4/5
Scientists at the University of New Mexico, USA, have created a zombie cell that is stronger than living cells. After death, she not only carried on with her duties, but performed them more efficiently. Scientists want to use the expertise in nanotechnology, which is halfway to a mix of zombie apocalypse and machine rebellion
THE AGENT OF CHAOS
ORIGIN: Protein transmissible by blood
CHANCE TO ROLL: 5/5
The symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are familiar: delirium, contorted muscles, walking without motor coordination… Although rare, the disease is transmitted via blood and the agent responsible has a high capacity for mutation. This can make the disease more easily transmissible, as is already the case with another caused by it: mad cow disease.
INTIMATE ENEMY
ORIGIN: Virus in DNA
CHANCE TO ROLL: 1/5
The human genome contains a dead virus called Borna – a discovery made by scientists at the University of Osaka, in Japan. When applied to other species, it causes problems: infected horses, for example, become crazy, aggressive and suicidal. The question scientists ask is: could it, one day, have the same effect on humans?
I STEAL
ORIGIN: Nanorobots
CHANCE TO ROLL: 2/5
Nanotechnology is already a reality in medicine and research shows that the little robots remain active up to a month after the person’s death. Scientists now plan to use nanorobots to regenerate patients’ brains. With the advancement of artificial intelligence, it would not be impossible for them to take over the brain and command the dead around
Sources US Centers for Disaster Control and Prevention, University of Michigan, Zombie Research Society, book The Zombie Survival Guide – Total Protection from the Living Dead by Max Brooks, and article When Zombies Attack!: Mathematical Modeling of an Outbreak of Zombie Infection (various authors)