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Breakthrough In Human Genetics
Many readers have submitted this story about a breakthrough in our understanding of human DNA: in particular, how much variation can exist between peoples' genes and how genes are involved with certain diseases. "One person's DNA code can be as much as 10 percent different from another's, researchers said on Wednesday in a finding that questions the idea that everyone on Earth is 99.9 percent identical genetically.
They said their new version of the human genetic map, or 'book of life,' fills in many missing pages and chapters to explain how genes are involved in common diseases.
The Human Genome Project mapped the billions of letters that make up the human genetic code. Scientists later refined the map by looking for single variations called SNPs or single nucleotide polymorphisms.
The CNV map gives researchers a different way to look for genes linked to diseases by identifying gains, losses, and alterations in the genome."
So how is parent Offtopic?
Because it's a creationist site whose tagline is "Upholding the authority of the bible from the very first verse." While the source generally shouldn't be taken into consideration when considering the argument, in this case it's similar to asking the KKK for informed research on black people.
Want to improve your Karma? Instead of "Post Anonymously", try the "Post Humously" option.
Very true.
Whenever I hear people talk about how we're "99% like a chimp", "45% like a fern", "76% like a catfish", etc. I just point out that we are not DNA. DNA is just the intruction manual on how to make us.
A more accurate analogy would be that the user manuals for a chimp and a human are 99% similar. Considering that the first 950,000 of 1,000,000 pages are about basic body structure, chemicals, etc, that's hardly surprising.
Humans have escaped the phenomenon of Natural Selection, for the most part. All of us who wear glasses? We should have been culled. All these people developing diabetes from eating too much sugar? Selected against. Asthma? You get the picture. Running with the idea that there is a higher power that created the world, I would say that Natural Selection is the method that higher power uses to figure out what works. But now with health care and a strong sense of altruism, errors in the genetic code are propagating throughout our species and wrecking havoc. In other words, we're playing god by saving lives that should have been selected against and allowing them to pass on their flawed genes.Sorry if my first post here is highly naïve, but you are making the assumption that caring for the sick or less fortunate is not itself a trait that has been selected for in previous generations. You mention a strong sense of altruism. This trait remains in the population because it is selected for, especially as Human (and primate) populations survive as groups, not as individuals.
And now your kid is born with a gene that means they're 80% likely to die from some horrible disease by the age of 30. If I were that kid, I would be pissed at my parents for not choosing the screening option.
Sorry, I can't agree with that last statement, having been a step-parent to 2 of "Jerry's" kids for 17 years. Regardless of the physical problems and the fact that one has already died at age 34 of MMD, they were, and are glad to be alive. So don't try to put words in a hypothetical childs mouth, thats not what comes out when they make their wishes known.
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Cheers, Gene