Author |
Share Topic Topic Search Topic Options
|
SearchAndDestroy
Caliph
Joined: 15-Aug-2004
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2728
|
Quote Reply
Topic: Evolution getting Faster Posted: 17-Mar-2007 at 12:01 |
Hey Omar, found the link and the second page works.
I'll post the first page.
Evolution Getting Faster Thanks to Germs, Viruses, Study Says
March 5, 2007
Viruses and bacteria have sped up the process of evolution by rapidly transferring DNA from one species to another, a new study suggests.
Gene-mapping projects over the past decade have already shown that genes can move between species via tiny microorganisms.
Now a team of scientists at Texas' Rice University believes that microbes are accelerating evolution by constantly transporting whole chunks of DNA that may represent new and beneficial functionslike resistance to disease.
This processcalled horizontal gene transfer (HGT)may allow life-forms to evolve more quickly than they would by occasional, random mutations alone, the scientists say.
"We know that the majority of the DNA in the genomes of some animal and plant speciesincluding humans, mice, wheat and corncame from HGT insertions," said Michael Deem, a genetic engineer at Rice, in a press statement.
"For example, we can trace the development of the adaptive immune system in humans and other jointed vertebrates to an HGT insertion about 400 million years ago."
"Once [viruses and bacteria] find a useful protein or gene, it can be transmitted to more complex species by [this process]," Deem told National Geographic News.
"I think this is the main mechanism by which dramatically new function evolves."
Evolution in Overdrive?
Evolution, as most scientists understand the process, has been getting faster and more complex over time.
Fossil records indicate that single-celled organisms appeared on Earth some 3.5 billion years ago. It took a further 2.5 billion years for the first multicellular life-forms to evolve.
But over the next billion years, those first multi-cellular organisms evolved into the staggering diversity of plant and animal life found on modern Earth.
|
|
"A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government." E.Abbey
|
|
pekau
Caliph
Atlantean Prophet
Joined: 08-Oct-2006
Location: Korea, South
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3335
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 19-Mar-2007 at 19:47 |
Let's not forget sugar.
|
Join us.
|
|
Zagros
Emperor
Suspended
Joined: 11-Aug-2004
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8792
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 19-Mar-2007 at 19:54 |
What? Sugar is a chemical.
|
|
pekau
Caliph
Atlantean Prophet
Joined: 08-Oct-2006
Location: Korea, South
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3335
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 19-Mar-2007 at 19:58 |
Originally posted by Zagros
What? Sugar is a chemical. |
Exactly.
|
Join us.
|
|
Zagros
Emperor
Suspended
Joined: 11-Aug-2004
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8792
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 19-Mar-2007 at 20:13 |
What is the relevance of sugar to the thread?
|
|
Hellios
Arch Duke
Joined: 25-Sep-2006
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1933
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 19-Mar-2007 at 20:28 |
Originally posted by Zagros
What is the relevance of sugar to the thread? |
Good question. He has a habit of doing that in threads started by people seeking intellectual discussions.
A simple joke could've been shared by all after your initial questioning.
|
|
Maharbbal
Sultan
Retired AE Moderator
Joined: 08-Mar-2006
Location: Paris
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2120
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 19-Mar-2007 at 20:59 |
This horizontal evolution is a nightmare for geneticists as it is (or it is seen so far as) completely rendom.
|
I am a free donkey!
|
|
malizai_
Sultan
Alcinous
Joined: 05-Feb-2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2252
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 19-Mar-2007 at 21:57 |
In light of all the 'missing links' it will be a welcome mechanism to assist the mutational mechanism as a source of explanation.
|
|
Omar al Hashim
King
Suspended
Joined: 05-Jan-2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5697
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 21-Mar-2007 at 03:33 |
Interesting, Thanks S&D!
|
|
Decebal
Arch Duke
Digital Prometheus
Joined: 20-May-2005
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1791
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 21-Mar-2007 at 16:53 |
That's interesting. And of course many are already aware of the flip side where the incredible diversity of animal and plant species is responsible for diversifying the number of bacteria and viruses which adapt to these organisms, either as parasites, or because the plants and animals change their environment, requiring them to adapt. This creates a virtuous circle leading to an explosion of diversity from the interaction of the micro- and macro-organisms.
|
What is history but a fable agreed upon?
Napoleon Bonaparte
Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth.- Mohandas Gandhi
|
|
HistoryPoi
Knight
Joined: 07-Feb-2007
Location: Hellas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 76
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 20-Apr-2007 at 19:51 |
Evolution has definatly stopped or almost stoped in humans. Becuase there are alot of...god...worshipping people, i shall call it adaption. BEcause of metapores, there is gonna be no difference in the age that people reproduce. on the other hand, in places were people live to such a young age, usually in poverty like conditioins i guess it is possible. Also its interesting becuase we shall evolve out...sorry...adapt out...some diseases that stop reporduction. and i guess we could do soemthing which resemples evolution, such as in a certain period of time there will be more asians and more Christians becayse they have more children. thats kinda like evolution. Same with maybe lower class familys if they have more children. imm sure theres an ethnographical study on that or something. oi decebal, i love ur signiture, even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth, but i think it should be ONLY if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth. anyway. think about it.
|
Viva La Vida!
|
|
Paul
General
AE Immoderator
Joined: 21-Aug-2004
Location: Hyperborea
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 952
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 20-Apr-2007 at 20:13 |
If evolution worked in humans, everyone would be stupid and intelligent people extinct.
|
|
|
mamikon
Sultan
Joined: 16-Jan-2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2200
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 20-Apr-2007 at 20:46 |
Evolution in Overdrive?
or intelligent design in overdrive
|
|
aslanlar
Samurai
Joined: 12-May-2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 124
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 13-May-2007 at 04:58 |
Evolution does work in humans, but not to the extent that nature wants it to. It's a lot more confusing with humans and the rate of evolution in humans i think will slow down.
With the rest of the worlds species on the other hand, during the next couple of centuries, i think there will be a lot of extinction in species, and a lot of rapid evolution. But hey, they don't 'deserve' to live if they can't adapt. The plague in Europe took out 2/3rds of the population. The ones that survived were either EXTREMELY lucky, or developed an imunity. This happens with insects when farmers sprey insecticide. Anyway, to the original point, i do think that evolution (excluding Homo-sapiens) is speeding up. It will be interesting to see the world in the next 100 years.
|
|
gcle2003
King
Suspended
Joined: 06-Dec-2004
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7035
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 13-May-2007 at 11:21 |
Why shouldn't over-use of sugar stimulate mutation?
I don't know of any studies that indicate it does, but it might. A large number of simple chemicals - any carcinogenic, for instance - do stimulate mutation, just as radiation does.
|
|
gcle2003
King
Suspended
Joined: 06-Dec-2004
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7035
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 13-May-2007 at 11:22 |
Originally posted by Paul
If evolution worked in humans, everyone would be stupid and intelligent people extinct.
|
So evolution does work in humans? It just hasn't quite finished yet?
Sometimes it doesn't seem to have far to go.
|
|
Jagiello
Consul
Joined: 08-Feb-2007
Location: Poland
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 316
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 14-May-2007 at 07:08 |
And lets not forget salt.
|
|
Zagros
Emperor
Suspended
Joined: 11-Aug-2004
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8792
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 14-May-2007 at 08:26 |
Well since you put it like that, gcle, pepper's feeling a little left out now.
|
|
gcle2003
King
Suspended
Joined: 06-Dec-2004
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7035
|
Quote Reply
Posted: 15-May-2007 at 08:55 |
Nobody ever died from over-eating pepper (or did they?)
Isn't pepper thought to be an aphrodisiac in some places? That should speed up evolution.
Edited by gcle2003 - 15-May-2007 at 08:56
|
|