Our immune system is the only thing standing between
us and a sea of microbial predators that could send us
to an early and ugly death. Equipped with genetic,
chemical and cellular weapons, it evicts unwelcome
microrganisms that find the human body a delightful
place to live, carefully admitting only the few microbes
that our bodies need to help us digest food and process
vitamins. When the system works successfully, the vast
majority of disease-causing microbes - bacteria,
viruses, molds and a few parasites - are kept at bay.
But the immune system isn't perfect. The same system
that could save us in the event of a bioterrorist
attack, prevents us from accepting potentially
life-saving organ transplants. It overreacts at times,
turning too much force against foreign invaders, causing
serious - occasionally lethal - collateral damage to our
tissues and organs. Worse yet, our immune systems may
decide we ourselves are foreign and begin snipping away
at otherwise healthy tissues, resulting in autoimmune
disease. And the system itself is the target of one of
the most deadly viruses humans have ever known: HIV, the
agent of AIDS.In In Defense of Self, William Clark
invites you on a whirlwind tour of your immune system.
Along the way, he introduces some of most important
medical advances and challenges of the past hundred
years, from the development of vaccines and the
treatment of allergies, autoimmunity and cancer, to
prolonging organ transplants and combating AIDS. William
Clark not only explains how a vital part of our bodies
works to ''serve and protect,'' he also provides
background for the exciting research themes of today
that will produce the medical breakthroughs of
tomorrow. |
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