• Question: Why haven't we evolved to become immune to illnesses ?

    Asked by lizzie.may to Laura, Matthew, Andrew on 20 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Matthew Camilleri

      Matthew Camilleri answered on 20 Nov 2014:

      We constantly do evolve new antigens against illnesses, but as we evolve, viruses and bacteria evolve as well, and therefore it would be a new type of illness altogether.

      With modern medicine this type of evolution is difficult, cos evolution works with survival of the fittest, and those who are not equipped to deal with the illness would die, which is the basis of evolution. Since everybody lives we cannot really evolve any new major immunities, and this might bring a rise in certain allergies.

    • Photo: Andrew McKinley

      Andrew McKinley answered on 20 Nov 2014:

      Well, we sort of have! We evolved our immune system to deal with everything that is thrown at us; unfortunately viruses and bacteria also evolve, so with everything constantly changing, our antibodies are the best things to adapt to new pathogens.

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