The type I IFN response (IFN-α and IFN-β), which is a critical element of the innate immune response to throttle viral infections prior to the development of the adaptive immune response, can also have a damaging effect on the host when elevated systemic levels of type I IFN persist (Lee and Ashkar, 2018; Sen, 2001). The gene discussed is IFNB1; the disease is viral infectious disease.