8% of your genome is of DEFINITE viral origin, with another 40% made of repetitive sequences that LIKELY started as ancient viruses. We're made of star-stuff, but more recently, you're the product of a lot of very lazy or complacent viruses that decided to settle down and settle in.

I mean if all you want is more copies of your genome migth as well hitchhike a ride in a different species for a few millenia.

It's a mind-shift from thinking of viruses as *just* disease agents. They're *US*. We're *made of* virus. Archaic retroviruses made the placenta possible, their ancient remnants control the patterns of gene expression, probably gave rise to our immune repertoire. We're human *because of them*.

You mean "successful" viruses, moving in on a permanent basis is the goal of every little undead monster

Blew the minds of my erstwhile 3rd years when I taught them that - Genetics of Viruses, MCB3023S. Now probably just to be a memory…😩