Harold Varmus, Darwin and Modern Science, Thu 9 July

Darwinian ideas about cancer
Professor Harold Varmus (Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre, New York, USA)

Summary: Charles Darwins ideas about natural selection were developed through meticulous observations about species variation, based on the appearance and behaviour of intact organisms and their visible components. Advances during the past century in cell biology, molecular biology, genetics and pathology have produced new ways to apply Darwinian principles to diseases, especially infectious diseases and cancers. Mutations (genetic variations) are the underlying events in cancers; some of these are inherited, but most are somatic (occurring after birth). Selection for cells that bear such cancer-predisposing or cancer-causing mutations is based on a growth advantage. This favours the cells at the expense of the organism (which commonly dies from the cancer), raising interesting questions about why certain cancer-predisposing versions of genes (alleles) persist in human populations. In addition, because cancer cells are usually found to have multiple mutations, additional Darwinian questions arise: Is the rate of variation (mutation) higher in cancer cells than in normal cells? If so, is the higher rate due to defects in mechanisms, such as DNA repair, that normally protect our chromosomes from damage during life? Do cells that undergo sequential mutations also undergo selection in the context of a tumour, producing an evolutionary process that favours the dominance of the most aggressively growing cells? And what are the biological (phenotypic) consequences of the mutations that favour selection? These problems are further compounded by the use of modern therapies, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy and so-called targeted therapy. In each case, cells that undergo further mutations may gain an additional selective advantage if they become resistant to the therapy yet another form of Darwinian evolution in the context of a major disease and one that demands the immediate attention of the research community to find new treatment strategies.

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[waterhud]

@Mr88playmaker Computer programs are empirical proof that computers have been running for billions of years (so that the code could evolve)

[Mr88playmaker]

DNA code is empirical proof that biological life forms are a creative product of information and language. i.e.: Nous / Logos

[Mr88playmaker]

(A) Information is: the communication or reception of knowledge or intelligence.

(B) Information exist independent of its medium.

(the same information can be stored in one's mind, expressed verbally, written on paper, typed on a computer etc.)

(C) Code = Language. Language originates in a MIND.

There ore only two types of language known to man: (1) That of human mind origin (2) DNA code.

Information is not matter or energy.

Language is not matter or energy.

[JonThm]

In 2001, Prof Zimmerman proposed the turbulent flow of H gas overcame the strong atomic force, and we saw nuclear fusion.

In 2003 I proposed that the turbulent flow of high pressure water or steam did molecular nuclear fusion. Thus we see emission of gammas rays and He gas, from the deep, water falls, hot smokers, plants in the light, or animal blood systems.

[1968BULLDOGS]

If a black rose resembles a cancerous death.And cannot reproduce with another living organism,then is creationism & evolution in vain?