In the spirit of full disclosure, I admit that the science of immunology is my passion. I say that not necessarily because I have devoted the past 35 years (more than half) of my professional life to this science that now shares a dominant role in health care and the biosciences. Rather, my feeling about immunology emanates from what it means to the human race.

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The Paradox of the Immune System is a book I have just published and the framework for this series of blog discussions. It is a provocative approach to immunology as a "double-edged sword." While it is the greatest protector of our health, it is also the cause of chronic inflammation that leads to autoimmune diseases, cancers, and the ill effects of infectious diseases like COVID-19.

Immunology is an extremely complex science, so I wrote the book in full science book mode, but I will address the subject in a series of blogs at 2 levels: a "Science Version" presented at a scientific level; and a "Layperson Version" presented for an audience with limited or no science background.   If I succeed, this blog will provide a broad range of readers with an interest in immunology with invaluable information on the bioscience that controls your life and those of your loved ones. And please ignore any of my attempts at humor. You just can’t make immunology funny. Fun – maybe; funny – not.