[evan_au (OP)]

This week's Naked Scientists podcast covered a paper suggesting that exposure to the Toxoplasmosis parasite is associated with a more entrepreneurial outlook on life, and an increased likelihood to undertake business studies.
https://www.businessinsider.com.au/parasite-in-cat-poop-linked-to-entrepreneurial-behavior-2018-7?r=US&IR=T

Previous studies have shown that "Toxo" infection is associated with more risk-taking behavior (eg increased motor vehicle accidents).
- Is it possible that the association shown in self-reported surveys represents risk-taking behavior in a survey?
- Can we get some more objective measures of whether Toxo is associated with greater success, or is it all in the mind?

For example, in the study that showed a link between Toxo exposure and motor-vehicle accidents, did the Toxo-enhanced drivers rate themselves as better drivers than the non-Toxo drivers who had fewer accidents?
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasmosis#Mental_health

PS: The story should probably have mentioned the usual warning against pregnant women carrying out the cat tray, as Toxo can kill or maim the unborn baby.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasmosis#Pregnancy_precautions

[chris]

It just goes to show...

we put our coverage of this story  - https://www.thenakedscientists.com/articles/interviews/can-your-cats-parasites-help-you-succeed - on Twitter, accompanied by a picture of a cat.

Predictably it got lots of likes... because of the cat...

[alancalverd]

The association with risk taking is well known, but entrepreneurship involves a lot more than bungee jumping. Something to do with bringing an idea to production, persuading bankers and investors to support it, and persuading people to buy it.

It is arguable that an extrovert personality helps, and toxo may have an influence there - the bug travels better from a sociable host.

So the moral is don't work for a cat-owning entrepreneur if you are pregnant. Funny thing is that James Bond took all the risks, but his enemies owned the cats.

[Bored chemist]

Toxo infection induces risk taking behaviour in rats and we all recognise that this is bad for the rats.
Toxo infection induces risk taking behaviour in humans...

Shouldn't we be screening  our managers for toxo?

[chris]

So the moral is don't work for a cat-owning entrepreneur if you are pregnant. Funny thing is that James Bond took all the risks, but his enemies owned the cats.

 

[chris]

Shouldn't we be screening  our managers for toxo?

Probably!