Cytokine Storm

The human immune system is one of the seven wonders of nature. It is an incredibly complicated system; when it works well, we are generally unaware that it is even functioning. When it is not working properly, disaster is not far off. It has three major ways of not working: it can be lazy and allow infections (or tumors) to proceed unchecked; it can be wiped out altogether by HIV and leave the victim open to all predators; finally, it can be hyper-vigilant.

When it is hyper-vigilant, its response to some triggering invader goes way beyond what is necessary. One hundred and fifty (or more) chemical agents can be released. Chemicals which increase inflammation compete with chemicals which decrease inflammation. The resulting battle is called a cytokine storm and can be more lethal to its victim that the inciting infection. This exaggerated immune response is caused by the rapid proliferation of highly activated t-cells or natural killer cells.

Bird Flu (the H5N1 influenza), is a classic example. If the patient develops a cytokine storm in reaction to the infection, he develops acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is often lethal. Otherwise, Bird Flu is just another self-limited routine respiratory illness.

American Security has parallels to the human immune system. It could be lax and allow unwanted penetration-- such as 9/11. It could be wiped out completely by a nuclear war. Or, it could over-react to penetration by forming a political cytokine storm; such a storm could be more lethal to our well being than the original threat had posed.

In fact, this was exactly what has happened. Our guard was down and twenty determined, well trained terrorists changed our world on 9/11. The situation demanded a measured, well targeted response; what we got was a cytokine storm. The government orchestrated an attack (and war) on one country marginally involved with 9/11 (Afghanistan) and another attack (and war) on a country not involved at all (Iraq). They trampled on Constitutional rights, broke international law by encouraging torture and directed the expansion of aggression via the new "Homeland Security" department. For me, the very name--Homeland Security-- conjures up fascist vapors.

Our security system needs to dial it back and prevent this cytokine storm from destroying who we are. We can enjoy high levels of security with a much smaller bootprint on the throat of the world. Our resources would be more effective and last longer if we showed some moderation. Would not a greater use of drones and special forces accomplish more with less risk than our current role of nation building? Obama promised us a more measured approach during the campaign; let's hold him to his promise. It is not weak to be smart.