Identification of causative agents of autoimmunity and inflammatory disorders

[SauceyFish (Ian Clark)]

Just as there is an International Association for Research on Cancer that classifies agents according to their ability to cause cancer in humans, there may be an opportunity to launch a US-based and government-funded agency or department that classifies agents according to their ability to cause autoimmunity and other inflammatory disorders through observational and experimental science. Identifying the root causes of these disorders, many of which remain unknown or “idiopathic”, in susceptible populations has the power to save lives and reduce healthcare spending, as these disorders are most often treated with very expensive drugs.