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 Amnesiac
Re-memberingcosmic wisdom
Registered: 03/30/03
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 Does DNA control us, or do we control DNA? 
#1851653 - 08/26/03 04:15 PM (14 years, 8 months ago) |
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Some people believe that because of a particular genetic hand they were dealt, it is impossible for them to overcome seemingly inherited weaknesses, disabilities, health problems, etc.
For example, I have a friend who, along with his entire family, lacks coordination, finesse, agility or ability requiring rhythm or smooth, graceful muscle movements. It would appear that this is a result of a genetics. My friend lacks the natural ability to use his body in the ways mentioned above.
So the question is, would my friend be capable of actually learning these abilities during this lifetime (after MANY exercises and much practice) to the point that his DNA would be altered, and then passed down to his children so that they have a better chance of inheriting the "coordination" gene?
I simply don't have the scientific knowledge to know this for myself, but it seems that this is one of the processes of evolution. I think it may be possible for us to actually alter our own DNA during our lifetimes through repeated practices and exercises in such a way that personal evolution of the DNA occurs, almost like a mutation.
Is this a possibility, or is our DNA set in stone? Is the only way we can alter our DNA, and therefore evolve, by procreating with somebody who has a different code of "set-in-stone" genes, producing an entirely new code?
Any thoughts on this?
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Here we are, in these bodies, on this planet in an endless universe. This is not the extent of who we are... merely an extension of who we really are.
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 DoctorJ
Minister to the Damned
 
Registered: 06/30/03
Posts: 8,744
Loc: space
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 Re: Does DNA control us, or do we control DNA? [Re: Amnesiac]
#1851660 - 08/26/03 04:19 PM (14 years, 8 months ago) |
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the answer to your question is both.
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Deep in the heart of Central Texas
lurks a Doktor
SM tool
Native Dallas brick-chopper...
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DrubuShrume
EAT ME - I'm afungi
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Re: Does DNA control us, or do we control DNA? [Re: DoctorJ]
#1851684 - 08/26/03 04:27 PM (14 years, 8 months ago) |
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maybe the DNA would be set to have the person gain coordination in order for itself to change...
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AH HA....
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fireworks_god
Sexy.Butt.McDanger
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Re: Does DNA control us, or do we control DNA? [Re: DoctorJ]
#1851689 - 08/26/03 04:29 PM (14 years, 8 months ago) |
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Well, I don't see how our DNA could be set in stone.. there is a wide variety of genetics in our human population.. and if we all came from one originally, where did this wide variety come from?
I think it is possible to alter DNA.. but I'm no expert, either.
Peace.
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If I should die this very moment
I wouldn't fear
For I've never known completeness
Like being here
Wrapped in the warmth of you
Loving every breath of you
  
 
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Amnesiac
Re-memberingcosmic wisdom
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Re: Does DNA control us, or do we control DNA? [Re: DoctorJ]
#1851696 - 08/26/03 04:32 PM (14 years, 8 months ago) |
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I would agree with you if I could be certain that we are actually capable of modifying our own DNA. Does anyone know of any scientific or other evidence that suggests our personal DNA code does change?
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Here we are, in these bodies, on this planet in an endless universe. This is not the extent of who we are... merely an extension of who we really are.
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Dogomush
Barbless Aryan
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Re: Does DNA control us, or do we control DNA? [Re: Amnesiac]
#1851759 - 08/26/03 04:48 PM (14 years, 8 months ago) |
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I think it may be possible for us to actually alter our own DNA during our lifetimes through repeated practices and exercises in such a way that personal evolution of the DNA occurs
That's ridiculous. Don't renew your membership to the flat earth society. And ask this question in the science forum.. assuming there still is one.
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Strumpling
Neuronaut
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Re: Does DNA control us, or do we control DNA? [Re: Amnesiac]
#1851770 - 08/26/03 04:52 PM (14 years, 8 months ago) |
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evolution controls both
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Insert an "I think" mentally in front of eveything I say that seems sketchy, because I certainly don't KNOW much. Also; feel free to yell at me.
In addition: SHPONGLE
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Amnesiac
Re-memberingcosmic wisdom
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Loc: Unknown
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Re: Does DNA control us, or do we control DNA? [Re: Dogomush]
#1851886 - 08/26/03 05:35 PM (14 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Dogomush said:
That's ridiculous. Don't renew your membership to the flat earth society.
Prithee, explain! Why do you think it's ridiculous? I won't jump to any conclusions about it, I really don't know that much about how DNA works, but please, if you have a reason for believing this is a ridiculous idea, enlighten me as to why!
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Here we are, in these bodies, on this planet in an endless universe. This is not the extent of who we are... merely an extension of who we really are.
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Xibalba
Stranger
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Posts: 2,114
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 Re: Does DNA control us, or do we control DNA? [Re: Amnesiac]
#1851997 - 08/26/03 06:08 PM (14 years, 8 months ago) |
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Edited by Xibalba (09/30/05 01:45 AM)
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Amnesiac
Re-memberingcosmic wisdom
Registered: 03/30/03
Posts: 188
Loc: Unknown
Last seen: 13 years, 7 months
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Re: Does DNA control us, or do we control DNA? [Re: Xibalba]
#1852056 - 08/26/03 06:26 PM (14 years, 8 months ago) |
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Perhaps there can be exceptions to the rule of Darwinian natural selection in humans as well.
I'm actually writing a novel right now that's based on this concept of evolving/mutating DNA in select individuals.
Anyways I wouldn't want to modify my genes artificially, it seems like cheating, a shortcut... I'd rather do it the natural way.
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Here we are, in these bodies, on this planet in an endless universe. This is not the extent of who we are... merely an extension of who we really are.
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raytrace
Stranger
Registered: 01/15/02
Posts: 720
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Re: Does DNA control us, or do we control DNA? [Re: Xibalba]
#1852201 - 08/26/03 07:02 PM (14 years, 8 months ago) |
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As a side note, there have been speculations that Lamarckian evolution had occurred during the early stages of life.
There is the "dual-origin" hypothesis, according to which organisms that were capable of replication and organisms capable of metabolism appeared at different points in time. So, it might be that genotype and phenotype were not separate in the beginning, with the self-replicating organisms evolving according to Lamarck's theory. Then metabolism got infected by replication and we have Darwinian evolution, so that organisms do not replicate (exact copies) but reproduce (similar copies) through the replication of genes and the Central (hmmm) Dogma of Biology.
This theory makes the beginning of life out of chaos less unlikely than if life began with replication and metabolism present in the same structure.
Also, Lamarckian evolution takes place today in the evolution of culture.
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Rhizoid
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Re: Does DNA control us, or do we control DNA? [Re: Xibalba]
#1853865 - 08/27/03 04:15 AM (14 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
That's the theory of Lamarckian evolution, or inheritance of acquired characteristics; it was quickly replaced by Darwinian evolution by natural selection.
Lamarckian evolution made a temporary comeback in the form of Lysenkoism in the Soviet Union. Genetics was considered "reactionary bourgeois science" and russian genetic scientists were imprisoned or killed. Inheritance of acquired traits was considered to be more in line with various principles of marxist philosophy, which was of course more important than facts.
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