In 2015, a daring experiment by a PhD student pushed boundaries by creating yogurt using her own vaginal bacteria as a starter culture. The idea, although shocking to many, was rooted in the science of bacterial fermentation similar to what is used in traditional yogurt making. Normally, yogurt is made using specific strains of bacteria, typically Lactobacillus, which ferment lactose in the milk into lactic acid. This acid then thickens the milk proteins and gives yogurt its distinctive tangy taste.
The student, Cecilia Westbrook from the University of Wisconsin, collected the bacteria using a wooden spoon. This unconventional source of bacteria is a type of Lactobacillus commonly found in a healthy vaginal flora, which is known to combat yeast infections and maintain normal vaginal health. Curiosity about the properties of her vaginal flora and how they would compare to traditional yogurt cultures in terms of taste and texture inspired her to undertake this experiment. After incubating the mix of milk and her vaginal secretions overnight, she produced a yogurt which she described as sour, tangy, and almost tingly on the tongue. Her experiment was met with mixed reactions, ranging from intrigue to disgust, reflecting societal discomfort with discussing aspects of female biology.
Westbrook's experiment, while controversial, highlighted important points about the human microbiome and the potential uses of its various microbial communities. Although not widely adopted or recommended for obvious reasons related to health standards and safety regulations, the experiment served as a provocative conversation starter about the possibilities of endogenous cultures in food production and the broader implications for biotechnology. It urged both the scientific community and the public to think about the body's microbiota in new ways, potentially paving the way for innovative uses of bacterial cultures. However, due to health and ethical considerations, experiments like Westbrook's remain largely symbolic and primarily serve to challenge conventional perceptions and stimulate discussion.
