Innate immunity is the defence against infection that babies are born with, as opposed to adaptive immunity which is acquired as people develop antibodies through their exposure to disease-causing agents.

ECONOMIST: Genetics and infectious disease: The germ of an idea | The

Whereas adaptive immunity is thought to be a response to specific bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, innate immunity has always been seen as the body's general response to all threats of disease.

ECONOMIST: Genetics and infectious disease: The germ of an idea | The