ForumsWEPRMore Evidence of Macroevolution? *mixed roar of boos and cheers*

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thisisnotanalt
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thisisnotanalt
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Farmer

I was watching this show on the Science Channel, and I began to think. . . .(which is always a problem)

Link to the summary of the show:

[url=http://www.discoverychannel.co.uk/web/shows/dinosaursreturntolife/]

Basically, it ws about some biologists and palentologists who came upon an interesting phenomenon - they delved deep into DNA and genes, and found that birds still had dormant genes from dinosaurs in their DNA. I wasn't able to catch how they did it, (busy eating dinner) but these guys were able to create a virus which they injected into a chicken embryo, which would activate the 'genetic memory' of the chicken embryo, cling to its DNA, and reactivate the controller gene that formed certain body parts, i.e. teeth and scales.

They were able to create a chicken which had developing teeth on its beak, as well as one which started to grow feathers on the normally scaly legs of the bird.

Of course, this type of thing rarely happens naturally in mutations - dolphins with vestigial legs or flies born without an abdomen of wings, for example.

This doesn't prove macroevolution, but it does provide a cryptic piece of evidence - birds have dormant genes in their DNA that lead to the development of distinctly reptilian features, or those of feathered dinosaurs.

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thisisnotanalt
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thisisnotanalt
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Farmer

Sorry, link *here.*

Also, one thing I forgot to add. The developing teeth were similar to the shape of fossilized dinosaur teeth found.

The controller genes control the formation of certain body parts - most of them are inactive, like the ones for teeth for chickens, but sometimes they screw up, resulting in vestigial legs on a dolphin, or a fly with no wings. Those mutations were caused by an active controller gene going inactive, or vice versa.

VoteSocialist
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VoteSocialist
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Nomad

Well some people argue that birds are in fact dinosaurs, and therefore the dinosaurs didn't all die out 65 million years ago. I don't follow a lot of science other than prehistory but this is truly fascinating!

Green12324
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Green12324
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Peasant

That's definitely interesting. Makes me wonder what could be found in DNA of other animals.

TSL3_needed
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TSL3_needed
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Nomad

Hm, makes sense to me. Although I do still wonder whether or not humans have these 'dormant' genes that we could activate to make us better. Following these principles we probably do, but birds are much older than people are, so I don't really know.

So I'll throw in a cheer into the mixed roar :P

thisisnotanalt
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thisisnotanalt
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Farmer

Although I do still wonder whether or not humans have these 'dormant' genes


Humans prolly do - chickens, dolphins, and house flies all do, so it can be assumed that all animals do, because all animals alive today evolved from something.
TSL3_needed
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TSL3_needed
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Nomad

If these 'dormant' genes are in us, then are those what cause genetic birth defects similar to those of flies, dolphins and bird?

thisisnotanalt
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thisisnotanalt
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Farmer

If these 'dormant' genes are in us, then are those what cause genetic birth defects similar to those of flies, dolphins and bird?


I'm not really sure - the mutations covered in the show were all about controller genes going wonky, and controller genes cover the development of different body parts. So really, I'd say it could depend on the defect.

It would be possible to create a human with no ears, for example, if the scientists are able to single out and get rid of the controller genes for the formation of ears.
TSL3_needed
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TSL3_needed
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Nomad

It would be possible to create a human with no ears, for example, if the scientists are able to single out and get rid of the controller genes for the formation of ears.


That would be disturbing. . . .

Although that would be very dangerous as many of our genes control different formations of proteins and body parts.

Still, what causes nature to want to keep the genes of a creatures ancestors for no apparent reason is a mystery to me. I don't get it. . . .
thisisnotanalt
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thisisnotanalt
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Farmer

Still, what causes nature to want to keep the genes of a creatures ancestors for no apparent reason is a mystery to me. I don't get it. . . .

The scientists haven't figured out precisely either, but I'd presume it's a combination of minor genetic mutations and natural selection at work.
samy
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samy
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Nomad

Noticed that none of the Christians posted here so I though I'd attempt to give my thoughts.

First I don't really have a basis to debate on here because the link was a bit of a fail. All I can say is I'm skeptical of course I'm a skeptical person. For one this could just be an ancestor of the chicken that happens to have teeth like a dinosaurs. Or they could have a similar genetic code just as humans are 98% the same as monkey's. I don't know maybe it's true but I don't know enough about it to make an informed decision.

dunadan
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dunadan
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Nomad

For one this could just be an ancestor of the chicken that happens to have teeth like a dinosaurs.


Hahahahahahah it's exactly what he said...
This is the principle of evolution...an ancestor of the chicken had teeth, and one day, a chicken was born without, and on and on and on, every chicken were born without teeth...
Once it was a dinosaur, and maybe 100 000 years later it has evolved into something much more fitted for the environnement (one was born, and as he resisted better at the climat, he survived and all his lineage...), then another, and another, to finish with the chicken..and it will occure in the future, maybe in 10 000 years, but evolution isn't finished.
samy
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samy
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Nomad

Hahahahahahah it's exactly what he said...
This is the principle of evolution...an ancestor of the chicken had teeth, and one day, a chicken was born without, and on and on and on, every chicken were born without teeth...
Once it was a dinosaur, and maybe 100 000 years later it has evolved into something much more fitted for the environnement (one was born, and as he resisted better at the climat, he survived and all his lineage...), then another, and another, to finish with the chicken..and it will occure in the future, maybe in 10 000 years, but evolution isn't finished.


Um no, humans have teeth like dogs doesn't mean we descended from them. Also 100,000 years isn't near long enough for a T-Rex to become a chicken think millions.
thisisnotanalt
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thisisnotanalt
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Farmer

Um no, humans have teeth like dogs doesn't mean we descended from them.


That point is invalid. Reason: Multiple phylums of animals have teeth.
PixelSmash
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PixelSmash
566 posts
Nomad

Whoa... that does sound really fascinating. I wonder how much they could do when they're given more time? *hears the tune of Jurassic Park*

Thank god we have scientists... else this would be such a boring place!

turret
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turret
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Shepherd

I dont know what i gthink about this I just think that they should leave it alone i dont think they should mess with genes.

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