Re: Speculation on the immune system

Walter ReMine (wjremine@mmm.com)
Tue, 05 Sep 1995 13:08:36 -0500

Abstract: Clarifications on immune system origins. Skip this one unless
you're really into following the conversation between Steve Clark and I.
Steve Clark's latest response invites more clarification from me. So I will
offer it.

Steve originally argued that the critical, heritable components of the
immune system (particularly the MHC genes) cannot evolve fast enough to keep
up with viruses (which are changing rapidly). I then pointed out that his
statement makes a fine argument against the evolutionary origin of the
immune system, and for origin by a designer.

Steve then responded with three arguments.
1) Theism and evolution are compatible.
2) Randomness is not the same as purposelessness.
3) Natural selection is not a random process.

But none of those can save him from his original argument. In fact, we
could accept all three of his points, but his original argument overrides
them and indicates a non-evolutionary origin for the immune system. In
other words, Steve's three points are irrelevant. They are a fog that
obscures the real issue. Steve has neither overturned his original
argument, nor retracted it. It still stands as a fine argument against
evolution.

Walter ReMine