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Prions Evolve Despite Having No DNA

Posted by kdawson on from the wipe-that-foam-off-your-mouth dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Scientists from the Scripps Research Institute have shown for the first time that 'lifeless' organic substances with no genetic material — prions similar to those believed responsible for Mad Cow disease and similar, rare conditions in humans — are capable of evolving just like higher forms of life. The discovery could reshape the definition of life and have revolutionary impacts on how certain diseases are treated."

1 of 214 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Where does Death Begin? by sevennus · · Score: 0, Redundant

    You claim that most *physicians* are not properly trained to test for brain death, and then you back it up with an anecdote about *technicians* that weren't able to properly identify real brain death.

    The difference between a technician and a physician? 6-12 years of top-level education and experience. Don't confuse the two.