by Roger Bourke White Jr., copyright May 2018
1. Before reading this chapter, were you aware that the DNA in your body is structurally the same as in all other organisms? Do you see this fact as having potential to clarify some of the many questions we still have regarding biological evolution? Why?
2. Why are regulatory genes important to understanding evolution?
3. Do you approve of cloning? If so, would restrict cloning to certain species? Would you have a pet cloned? Why or why not?
4. Do you approve of the recent development of a "synthetic" bacterial genome? Why or why not? How do you think this technology might be used in the future?
1. I was aware. Having read this chapter and become more aware of the complexity of transforming DNA code into cell components, I'm now wondering what was the simpler predecessor system? And, is that simpler system still around in some fashion, or is there some fossil evidence of its existence?
2. These are what turn on and off the various chemical processes going on in a cell. If you can't turn on and off processes, and can't decide when to turn them on and off, you won't have what we currently consider a living cell.
3. Yes, I approve. As the book points out we have been doing it in various ways since prehistory. Now we have new tools, so we can do new styles. But, this is nothing new in technology. We simply need to treat this as yet another new tool in our technology tool kit.
4. Yes, I approve. I do so for the reasons stated in my answer to question three. How will this be used in the future... Wow! It's going to get real interesting. I foresee designer labs that specialize in using these new tools. And I foresee those that deal with high-profile tools becoming much like businesses in the entertainment industry. There will be lots of aspirants and a handful of "rock star" successes.
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