This special fibromyalgia issue is dedicated to Darwin. He looms large in the author's ecologic thinking because he was the first systematic ecologist and integrationist. So it is that an integrated view of experimental and clinical aspects of the fundamental trio of oxidosis, dysoxygenosis (abnormal oxygen metabolism), and acidosis in fibromyalgia1 is presented in light of his core concepts. Fibromyalgia cannot be understood without a clear understanding of Darwinian notions of ecologic conditions, struggle for life, adaptation to change, and natural selection.2 In the context of fibromyalgia, as is evident from articles in this issue of the Journal, natural selection means how the ecologic conditions (oxidosis and dysoxygenosis) favor, or put in jeopardy, the microecologic cellular and macroecologic tissue-organ systems of the human body, as well as those of the microbiologic organisms which live symbiotically within those ecosystems in health.
    Fibromyalgia and its twin disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, must be seen in light of the broader Darwinian ecologic perspective for two reasons. First, it is essential for understanding disruptions of human ecosystems in those disorders. Second, and equally important, is gaining insight into what those battered human ecosystems portend for the future health of that individual. In a larger sense, the lessons learned from fibromyalgia sufferers are equally important for all humankind.
    The prevailing practice of diagnosing fibromyalgia when 11 or more of the 18 "established" trigger points are present is woefully inadequate. It not only totally ignores the systemic nature of the disorder (oxidosis, dysoxygenosis, and acidosis evidently affect all cellular ecosystems), it is based on the location and number of trigger points that offer no clues to underlying pathogenetic mechanisms.
    This issue is also dedicated to earlier peoples (mistakenly regarded as "primitive" by some) who demonstrated a profound ecologic awareness in their lives. Their "language of ecology" was different from ours in that it was metaphorical and ritualistic, but in many ways it was far richer, spiritual, and ennobling. Ecologists often relate "an exact moment of birth" of the science of ecosystem to a definition of ecosystem put forth by Tansley in 1935.3 That, of course, is not uncommon for those unfamiliar with the deep "ecologic beliefs" of the ancients in the inseparability of people, animals, lands, and waters. Human perceptions of ecologic issues and insights into their impact on human life are as old as humankind itself. For instance, the term nde (ndeh) of the Dene peoples of the North American subarctic is often translated as land. But that is not what Dene mean by ndeh. For them, ndeh is the integrated whole that surrounds and permeates their beings. It is the relatedness of that whole to everything with which they celebrate life--of people, animals, air, fire, water, the deep earth, and the most high sky.4 Ndeh is anything and everything for them. The concept of the discrete is alien to them; so were such notions to most peoples of earlier eras.5
    Darwin went around the world and recognized that the parts are inseparable from the whole as the whole is inseparable from its parts. He also recognized that nature selects and wondered about whether there were any recognizable mechanisms operating in that selection. Finally, he propounded his theory of the mechanisms involved. Natural selection is an ecologic notion. In essence, he figured out how ndeh was preserved and evolved under the organizing influence of what he called the Infinite Wisdom.
   Finally, this issue is dedicated to sufferers of fibromyalgia who are a living testimony to the perils of ignoring ecologic principles that govern the human health/dis-ease/disease continuum. Their microecologic cellular and macroecologic tissue-organ ecosystems were violated by antibiotic abuse, sugar overload, neglected food incompatibilities, undiagnosed mold allergies, and foods contaminated with pesticides. Their anger and anxiety, sometimes leading to depression, were chalked up to psychological or the all-in-the-head problems by their doctors. Antibiotic and antidepressant abuse persisted.
    In closing, the trio of oxidosis, dysoxygenosis, and acidosis in fibromyalgia (oxidative-dysoxygenative dysfunction, ODD) can be understood fully only in light of Darwin's work. Only then can we comprehend the impact of oxidosis and dysoxygenosis on the human microecologic cellular and macroecologic tissue-organ systems. A clear understanding of those elements should lead to intelligent use of rational, ecologic-integrative management plans for reversal of fibromyalgia and other chronic disorders. That is the true promise of the medicine of the upcoming century.

References
1.Ali M, Ali O. Fibromyalgia: An oxidative-dysoxygenative dysfunction ODD. J Integrative Medicine 1999;1:17-37.
2.Darwin C. On the Origin of Species. A Facsimile of the First Edition. 1964. Harvard University Press. Cambridge, MA. 3.Tansley AG. The use and abuse of vegetational concepts and terms. Ecology. 1935;16:284-307.
4.Legat A, Zoe SA, Chocolate M. The importance of knowing. In: NWTY Diamonds Project environmental impact statement. Volume 1, Appendeces, 1996, Vancouver: BHP Diamonds.
5.Berkes F, Kislalioglu M, Folke C et al. Exploring the basic ecological unit: Ecosystem-like concepts in traditional societies. Ecosystems. 1998;1:409-415.