News Life

In battle to shape immunity, environment often beats genes

Twin study shows microbes and other factors lead the immune system to adapt

Flu shot picture

GETTING A REACTION  The immune system’s reaction to flu shots and infections is mostly determined by environmental, not genetic, factors.

WFIU Public Radio/Flickr  (CC BY-NC 2.0)

By Tina Hesman Saey

- More than 2 years ago

Environmental factors shape the immune system’s reactions more than genes do, a study of twins suggests.