Feces hold the key to human health
- Seoyoung Kang
- Dec 1, 2025
- 1 min read
Dec 1, 2025
Seoyoung Kang
The Global Microbiome Conservation (GMbC), which collects and studies stool samples from diverse populations worldwide, is conducting a project to gain a deeper understanding of the human gut microbiome. The research team will analyze stool samples collected from countries such as Ghana, Tanzania, Finland, and Thailand to identify ethnic and regional variations in gut microbiome characteristics and use these findings to assess health. They believe stool is the most accurate indicator of an individual’s gut microbiome, and are systematically collecting and preserving various types of samples.
Over the past nine years, the research team in the GMbC has collected samples from 50 communities across 19 countries. The process can be odorous and repulsive to other people, but the team knows this is a necessary process. Stool samples are not only a public health indicator, but are also being used to encourage potentially life-saving procedures to treat Clostridium difficile infections and other microbes from one host to another.
Researchers say the field holds great potential for new discoveries, given that people have often avoided it due to its repulsive nature. Indeed, despite its wealth of scientific information, cultural perceptions have hindered research. The researchers argue that feces are crucial for understanding human health and avoiding research due to bias is detrimental.
