Despite considerable research in immunology, genetics and pharmacology, the fact is that diseases continue to take their toll in death and disability. Along with heart and liver disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and cancer it is clear that advances in treatment have made only slight improvements in allergies, schizophrenia and other conditions. Using approaches from genetic epidemiology and molecular biology, these contributors describe the possibilities for treatments and cures offered by molecular ecology and molecular evolution to make use of studies of individuals with hereditary immunity to significant diseases. They describe the fundamental principles, the role of molecular makeup in ontogeny, the phenomenon of immune response, advances in anti-infectious health care, the use of genetics in studying non-infectious diseases, and questions of human descent in studying diseases. Includes illustrations, clinical photographs, and references. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
