The science of zombies: Will the undead rise?

There are in fact a growing number of documented examples in the animal kingdom of parasites that change their hosts' behavior -- and increasing evidence that humans are not immune to manipulations that are arguably zombie-like. [File, AFP]

Hordes of brain-munching undead terrorizing neighborhoods make for fun television and movies, but zombies could never be real... or could they?

There are in fact a growing number of documented examples in the animal kingdom of parasites that change their hosts' behavior -- and increasing evidence that humans are not immune to zombie-like manipulations.