James Bond is a huge bastard. In the movies, the spy washes his hands only twice in total, has a lot of sex without contraceptives, and constantly ignores travel advice designed to prevent infectious diseases. Epidemiologists from Radboud University and The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine conclude this on the basis of 25 (out of 27) James Bond films. They compared Bond’s actions on international missions with current travel advice in that region. their conclusions, published last week in the scientific journal Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, are shocking.
The researchers normally specialize in malaria, for which they travel a lot to developing countries, explains co-author Teun Bousema of Radboud University. “We are always very careful there to ensure that we do not contract infectious diseases, but you always come back with diseases. James Bond also comes to those places. How come that guy never gets sick? Would he stick to the advice so well?” With that question in mind, the three researchers each watched more than fifty hours of Bond films. They even got a postponement of the publication to No Time To Die, the latest Bond film, in their investigation. “We sat with notepads in the cinema.”
007 turns out to be a daredevil, also in terms of his health. Although, perhaps he owes his heroism in part to that laxity, the researchers speculate. Bond did not wash his hands after petting the cat of arch-enemy Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Number One) (among others From Russia With Love, 1963). The parasite can be spread via cat feces Toxoplasma gondii be transferred. In mice, the infectious disease toxoplasmosis caused by this causes them to don’t be afraid anymore for cats. A trick of the parasite to spread itself even faster. It is not known whether the disease also has an anti-anxiety effect in humans.
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The Brit’s diving behavior is downright reckless. The advice is to swim up slowly to avoid potentially fatal decompression sickness. Launching from a torpedo room from a submarine (You Only Live Twice, 1967 and The World Is Not Enough, 1999) probably doesn’t follow that advice, the researchers said.
While this is the first investigation into the spy’s exposure to infections, the study is not an isolated one. The researchers refer to previous scientific analyzes of the more well-known Bond habits: irresponsible drinking and excessive smoking.
But the poor preparation for a trip is mainly the fault of employer MI6, says Bousema. “Occasionally, Bond just gets a ticket pressed into his hand and the plane is ready.” Then there is no time to consult travel advice. „That is really not possible, given the importance of spies with a double ostatus.” Investigators will continue to notify the producer and actors of their concerns.
A version of this article also appeared in NRC Handelsblad of 23 October 2021
A version of this article also appeared in NRC in the morning of October 23, 2021
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