Development of Genetic Resistance to Infection

This Element is an excerpt from Germs, Genes, & Civilization: How Epidemics Shaped Who We Are Today (9780137019960) by David P. Clark. Available in print and digital formats.

Why do some survive disease while others die—and how does humanity develop greater genetic resistance to infection?

When a virulent epidemic rages, some humans survive and some die. Before vaccination, antibiotics, and modern medical technology, what decided who was fortunate and who was not? In addition to sheer luck, both social and biological factors affect the chances of catching a disease, as well as the likelihood of surviving. Let's start with strictly biological factors....