Positive DNA Mutation - About Time! - Galt's Gulch

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Positive DNA Mutation - About Time!

Posted by Thoritsu 9 years, 2 months ago to Science

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Interesting positive natural mutation story "caught on tape"

SOURCE URL: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-31145601

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Posted by Robbie53024 9 years, 2 months ago

Very interesting.

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  Posted by jbrenner 9 years, 2 months ago
  
  Why did someone downvote Robbie for a positive, nonreligious comment? I can understand downvoting occasionally for a good reason, but the downvoting has gotten out of hand recently. I will return your default point, Robbie.
  
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    Posted by Thoritsu 9 years, 2 months ago
    
    I'm with you there! I often don't agree with Robbie on religion, but we need to be conscious of what is said, and vote on its merits.
    
    On the other hand, who cares what one's score is? Does it do anything?
    
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      Posted by jbrenner 9 years, 2 months ago
      
      Up voting builds community amongst those of us here. Down voting destroys it. Someone really has to tick me off for me to down vote them.
      
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        Posted by Thoritsu 9 years, 2 months ago
        
        Makes sense. Like an asymmetric share line for cost growth vs cost savings. Oh god, I'm really becoming a corporate dweeb!
        
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    Posted by Zenphamy 9 years, 2 months ago
    
    There's been a lot of down-voting without comment or explanation going on the last couple of days on multiple posts.
    
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      Posted by LetsShrug 9 years, 2 months ago
      
      Yeah.... it seems someone should be able to find the culprit.
      
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      Posted by jbrenner 9 years, 2 months ago
      
      Indeed there has.
      
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Posted by jbrenner 9 years, 2 months ago

Undoubtedly such rare positive DNA mutations have occurred many times over geologic time. It is nice to see a concrete example in our lifetime. Another such example that happened longer ago was a genetic mutation amongst people of color in malaria-ridden countries; they evolved a mutation that gave them protection against malaria but resulted in sickle cell anemia.

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  Posted by salta 9 years, 2 months ago
  
  Survival Of The Sickest, by Sharon Moalem. Well worth reading. It covers many genetic traits like that, which are maintained in the population because they help with some other disease resistance.
  What is extraordinary in this story is the new mutation taking place in an individual, rather than one inherited from parents.
  
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    Posted by Thoritsu 9 years, 2 months ago
    
    Ahhh, I haven't put my finger on the individual vs population distinction. That is what got my attention.
    
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    Posted by jbrenner 9 years, 2 months ago
    
    I did not know the reference. Thank you, salta.
    
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  Posted by Thoritsu 9 years, 2 months ago
  
  I didn't know that. Have to look into it. Interesting, thanks!
  
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