"The debate is over about whether or not climate change is real."
You know, you'd think a geneticist would know better.
A massive international study of the human genome has caused scientists to rethink some of the most basic concepts of cellular function. Genes, it turns out, may be relatively minor players in genetic processes that are far more subtle and complicated than previously imagined.Among the critical findings: A huge amount of DNA long regarded as useless -- and dismissively labeled "junk DNA" -- now appears to be essential to the regulatory processes that control cells. Also, the regions of DNA lying between genes may be powerful triggers for diseases -- and may hold the key for potential cures.
[...]
[Thomas D. Tullius , professor of chemistry at Boston University] - "There were huge surprises; this research has upset a lot of thinking about how the genome works."
He added in an interview: "There now appear to be thousands of places in the genome that were long thought to be useless or meaningless, but which we now see to have a functional role. But we don't really understand what that role is."
Most startling, according to researchers, is that some areas of the genome looming as crucial are regions that don't contain specific instructions for making proteins. That recognition amounts to a sea change in basic biology.
Via Maxed Out Mama who notes that this isn't really news. Evidence that so-called "junk" dna wasn't junk at all has been mounting for some time.
Among other items, it calls into question very basic tenets of evolutionary gene studies based on gene "clocks" and it calls into severe question the statement that we share almost all of our DNA with our closest primate relatives. It's so radical that it's hard to construct a parallel. Something on the order of geologists holding a press conference and announcing that the world is flat after all.
It isn't just new findings about "junk" dna that's undermining the fashionable field of evolutionary genetics. In 2004* I pointed to this two year old item on new discoveries in mitochondrial dna, the very underpinning of these genetic "clocks" that purport to tell us, among other things, when it was that domestic dogs diverged from their wolf ancestors, and that all current humans have a single common female ancestor, a "mitochondrial Eve".
For decades biologists have assumed that mitochondria - the cells' power stations - are inherited solely through the maternal line.Mitochondria in the sperm from the father were presumed to be destroyed immediately after conception, leaving behind only those from the mother. But Marianne Schwartz and John Vissing from the University Hospital Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, have discovered that one of their patients inherited the majority of his mitochondria from his father.
[...]
The researchers think inheritance of paternal mitochondrial DNA is probably very rare. But the findings will have implications for a number of branches of biology. Evolutionary biologists often date the divergence of species by the differences in genetic sequences in mitochondrial DNA. Even if paternal DNA is inherited very rarely, it could invalidate many of their findings. It will also have implications for scientists investigating inherited metabolic diseases.
Yet despite its obvious significance, this is information that aparently still manages to elude a good many in the field.
Now, why might that be?
(emphasis mine)
As someone that has a deep (and unhealthy) love of genetics, THANKS for posting this news. I've gotten too far behind this awesome field. I need to catch up...
Actually, there was an excellent article in the Journal of Theoretical Biology, in 1999, by R. Root-Bernstein and P. Dillon on 'introns', the so-called 'junk DNA' pointing out that they were anything but junk, that they were more prevalent in the more complex biological organisms - and had a vital role to play.
The reductionism of molecular biology had or has the agenda of reducing everything to singular causality - eg, 'The Selfish Gene'; this is a mechanical and linear regressive perspective - and slips right past the complex and networked reality of the biological world.
Its difficult to remember the debate ever starting considering Suzuki and Gore refuse to debate anyone who isn't on their side of the fence.
With regard to the other far-from-settled science, there's a very interesting article over at the Post today. The author's conclusion is that the government should spend more time worrying about potential global cooling and he has some pretty interesting research which he uses to make his case:
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/comment/story.html?id=597d0677-2a05-47b4-b34f-b84068db11f4
Ever heard of Reid Bryson?
My favorite quote: "Consensus doesn't prove anything, in science or anywhere else......"
"it calls into severe question the statement that we share almost all of our DNA with our closest primate relatives."
Another nail in Darwin's coffin?
Zipf's language law also applies to so-called 'junk' DNA.
Sorry but anyone from the world of science who makes a statement like that is an Impostor or damned stupid. In science the debate can never be over.
A debate on the level of Gore's knowledge of anything scientific would be over quickly, he knows little beyond what he dished out by rote. He's incapable of debate due to lack of knowledge.
In fact he refused to debate anyone of opposing view.
Suskookie must have lost it totally. He better go try on a few more fig leaves and cavort in the jungle studying the sex lives of monkeys and fruit flies.
The Drudge headline:
Now prepare for 'dangerous global cooling'...
Politicians and environmentalists these days convey the impression that climate-change research is an exceptionally dull field with little left to discover. We are assured by everyone from David Suzuki to Al Gore to Prime Minister Stephen Harper that "the science is settled."
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/comment/story.html?id=597d0677-2a05-47b4-b34f-b84068db11f4&p=4
test
Complex scientific matters are intentionaly overlooked.
Many so-called "scientists" are quick to call it "settled".
Complex science is simplified using assumptions that are full of obvious errors.
The media reports on very involved science by using a sound bite.
WHY ???
It is called 'DUMBING-IT-DOWN'.
"Scientists" D-I-D so funders can understand.
Politicians D-I-D to quickly make their point.
The media will D-I-D for hyping porposes.
Technical speakers will D-I-D for the sales people. Can not let facts get in the way of selling.
Tis why Albert and David are "unsettled".
OH, the irony:
The concept of "junk DNA" is now "junk science".
Stay tuned to learn about the key role the appendix plays in human biology. I'm a bit anxious, but I still have my tonsils thank g-d.
Suzuki may have been a scientist a very long time ago. Now, he's really a evangeslit/politican.
A while ago I greatly angered a liberal ex-friend who was a Suzuki fanatic, with this:
Jimmy Swaggart: Send me money or G-d will call me home.
David Suzuki: Send me money or the world will end (preferably via montly pre-authorized cheques to keep the handling costs down).
I honestly can't tell the difference!
Dear David:
As a youngster i watched your Communist Broad Casting shows religiously (52 years old now).
About 10 to 15 years ago you had a program about the shrinking penise size of males in southern Ontario.(i am not making this up).
You bassically blamed it on the pollutants,drugs,global freezing or warming(pick one only).
Since then i have come to the conclusion it may have something to do with GENETICS.
Please correct me if i am wrong.
Show me yours and i show you mine.
Peace out: Al.
BTW: Your Daughter is a wack job.
Suzuki is old and tired. His best years are behind him. He has nothing left offer, but the inane wailings of an old man whose life has been wasted at the CBC trough.
His inability to rethink and change his mind is a sure sign of very old age and loss of reason.
He will be gone soon and his patron St. Albert of Gore, will not be the next president and will eventually float away into an obscure, obese, oblivion where he belongs.
The Earth will continue to spin and do what it pleases under the huge influence of the Sun and other cosmic rays.
God bless and good night.
The Psalmist said it best, "we are fearfully and wonderfully made".
Agree with Richard. And as a believer in Creation I will say again science does not disprove Creation, but science can disprove the theory of evolution.
Gore and Suzuki are promoting a new religion.
lets say that Bono Suzuki and Al Goracle are "smarter than the average beer" , no spelling mistake.
Frankly that psycopath DAVID SUZUKI should be stranded way out there in the wilds of ALASKA where the wolves and bears can get a crack at time and have some delacacies