Final answer:
Instilling competition between normal and pathogenic microbes is key for maintaining a balanced microbiome, preventing pathogen overgrowth, and supporting a healthy immune system. This natural competition helps protect against infections and can influence the severity of diseases an individual may face.
Step-by-step explanation:
Instilling competition between normal and pathogenic microbes is crucial because it utilizes the concept of competitive exclusion to enhance the health and stability of our natural microbiome. This competition for nutrients and space inhibits the growth of pathogenic microbes, making opportunistic infections less likely. For example, when antibiotics are used excessively, they can disrupt the balance of our gut flora, leading to an overgrowth of resistant species like Clostridium difficile. This demonstrates that maintaining a balanced microflora is not only essential for preventing infections but also for supporting a healthy immune system.
Furthermore, a diverse microbiota encourages a more robust immune response, aiding in the prevention of infections. The presence of normal flora can even affect the severity of diseases, as seen with individuals who possess varying levels of susceptibility to infections based on their unique microbial composition. Consequently, competition among microbes is a fundamental aspect of our body's defense mechanism, helping to safeguard against the resurgence of diseases that our ancestors struggled to control.