Page 117 - The Miracle of the Immune System

ccording to statements of scientists, the defence system possess-
es an "irreducible complexity". This term refers to an intact sys-
tem composed of several well-matched, interacting parts that contribute
to the basic function, wherein the removal of any one of the parts causes

the system to effectively cease functioning. As an example, let us think of
the devices we would need if we were to send a fax:
- A facsimile device
- A telephone line
- A cable
- Paper.
If any one of these items is absent you cannot send a fax. Nothing
from the above list must be missing. Besides, they must conform to exact
specifications. For example, the length of the cable must be sufficient for
the plug to reach the socket, otherwise the available items will be of no
use. Similarly, although all elements of the defence system fulfill their
functions perfectly, if there are a few components which malfunction, this
would cause the body to lose the war. For example, if the tiny granules lo-
cated within the T cells do not function properly, they cannot store toxins,

which in turn cannot be transferred to the enemy, again resulting in the
war being lost. Therefore, in a system where the enemy cannot finally be
killed, important functions such as the formation of warrior cells, their