An inventive mechanism (Evolution)

by David Turell , Tuesday, September 23, 2014, 15:05 (3500 days ago) @ dhw
edited by David Turell, Tuesday, September 23, 2014, 15:31


> DAVID: So my view of Shapiro, et. al. is that the genome is in control, and the cells really bend to genome control, while being allowed some attempts at adaptation by self-methylation of the DNA. And latest research shows that methylation is lasting thru generations, but in no sense that speciation occurs by that mechanism.
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> dhw: We need to recap on your dilemma. You believe evolution happened, i.e. God did not separately create every single innovation that led from bacteria to humans. You proposed a theory that he installed a computer programme in the first living cells that would be passed down though 3.7 billion years to implement every innovation when the environment allowed (or when God preprogrammed every environmental change to happen). The alternative I have proposed is that there is a mechanism within the cells - you have placed it more precisely within the genome, which I'm happy to accept - that responds to environmental changes not only by adapting but also by inventing. -It seems to me we are stating the same possibility, except you seem to want the cells to run the genome and it is the other way around.--> dhw: In your first paragraph you have accepted the idea of an inventive mechanism in the genome. In your second paragraph you only allow for some attempts at adaptation and say there is no evidence that speciation occurs by that mechanism. Then what does the inventive mechanism invent? Are you still adhering to your preprogramming hypothesis, or are you acknowledging the possibility that innovations are created autonomously through an internal mechanism which your God may have installed? -I am struggling with what we know now about genomics and what we might find to explain the advances by speciation.-dhw: Your only alternatives are random mutations and separate creation of every innovation. Resolve your dilemma. Make a firm decision. And instead of predicting that science will discover a 3.7-billion-year-old computer programme in the genome, join me in predicting that it will uncover a mechanism capable not only of adaptation but also of invention. -My three possibilities, to recap: (1) pre-planning, every step to humans is programmed into the genome; (2) dabbling, God steps in to change things, organisms or environment or both; (3) inventive mechanism, which is a variation of pre-programming and can create the new complex species by analysis and planning, following given guidelines. -On thinking about (3) it would have to be an extremely complex computer code, and perhaps not beyond God's capabilities to create it. DNA is a complex code beyond what we humans use now. Note you use the word 'mechanism'without describing it. Fuzzy concept. It has to be a code like DNA. I can't imagine anything else. I've gotten you to recognize what ever and where ever it is, it must be part of the genome. Now unfuzzy your theory, recognize the power of the codes in the genome and forget the stupid cells. You fell for scientists' hyperbole. We are not far apart, but Nobel will probably credit me more, if and when my prediction is found.-Here is a study on tilapia sub-species that is an attempt to explain variations:-http://phys.org/news/2014-09-cichlid-fish-genome-story-evolution.html-Involving gene duplications and microRNA activities