Some recent advances in biology and diseases manifested by abnormal immune regulation

Diseases manifested by abnormal immune regulation represent perturbations of a system of heterologous genetic recombination. This heterologous recombination is mediated by plasmids and viruses, facilitated by immune multigene families, and may be affected by physical factors. Heterologous recombination facilitates individual adaptation to new environmental challenges, thereby promoting survival and evolution. Present evidence which supports this hypothesis and a means to test it are outlined. The medical implications of the hypothesis are briefly discussed.