Re: The Rosennean Modelling project

[Howard Pattee <***>]

Ayten makes an important caution. The immune system has evolved, like all functions, to 
improve fitness or survival. But fitness is the epitome of a holistic model. There is no 
way to determine if an immune system or its artificial stimulation improves fitness 
unless you figure the cost to other fitness properties of the organism. Autoimmune 
diseases are one big cost along with the considerable genetic and somatic resources 
necessary to support the immune system.

One way to model such complex cost-benefit problems is game theory that as you know was 
invented for economic systems. The only recent reference I know to such an attempt is by 
Boven and Weissing, The evolutionary economics of immunity, American Naturalist, 163(2), 
277-294, 2004. They have a mathematical model that clearly shows there can always be too 
much of what appears as a good thing if modeled too narrowly. The problem with their 
model, which they acknowledge, is that there are as yet too many unknown parameters to 
give empirical results. That is always a problem with complex systems. In any case, 
computers are essential just to see how the model behaves.

Howard

Ayten wrote:
> One quick comment on the following passage in your post on the  Immunity:
>
> 'Indeed, the mapping for each individual's "immunological shadow" could be routinely 
> ascertained at birth and a vaccination program instituted to protect individuals would 
> then be a routine addition to other vaccine programs of childhood.'
>
> I would be cautious for vaccination, in general. Though you may be right for certain 
> cases where the specific situation is well studied and the solution verified, for 
> vaccination may itself be the cause of the immuno-disease.
>
> A passage from my paper still under preparation: "Autoimmune diseases are usually 
> chronic and cause slow, progressive damage to organs and tissues. These may be organ 
> specific or multi-system diseases involving variety of body systems and producing 
> complex pattern of symptoms and signs. Organ-specific disorders may involve thyroid, 
> adrenaline gland, spleen, pancreas (as a source of diabetes resulting in 
> mal-functioning of insuline secretion), stomach, liver, kidney, nerves and muscles, 
> skin, hair, ovaries, reproduction organs etc. in a chain effect. Among possible 
> triggers, certain infections, particularly viruses, vaccinations and environmental 
> factors can cause subtle changes in lymphocyte function that lead to a breakdown in 
> self-recognition by the immune system."
>