rationalskepticism.org

CharlieM wrote:

DavidMcC wrote:... Furthermore, most of the gut flora and fauna are in a symbiotic relationship with us. The bad guys, like E. coli, are the exception, not the rule.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intestinal_flora

Though people can survive without gut flora,[4] the microorganisms perform a host of useful functions, such as fermenting unused energy substrates, training the immune system, preventing growth of harmful, pathogenic bacteria,[2] regulating the development of the gut, producing vitamins for the host (such as biotin and vitamin K), and producing hormones to direct the host to store fats.

Furthermore, there is an evolutionary reason for this. Those gut bacteria that help their host would flourish better than those that harmed them.

Yes life can be viewed as a coordinated, symbiotic development. Seeing life as a struggle for existence is a narrow point of view that doesn't see the bigger picture.