Can we ever escape our genetic code

[Ihcisphysicist]

If we are supposed to be the same result of the encrypted information our genes carries, how can we expect to yeild any better result through us.

[Endy0816]

Your genes contain the template for your brain, but your brain can come up with methods to get around the limitations of your genes.

 

 

Ultimately the genetic code will become mostly irrelevant.

[Greg H.]

Your genes contain the template for your brain, but your brain can come up with methods to get around the limitations of your genes.

 

 

Ultimately the genetic code will become mostly irrelevant.

I'd argue that in a lot of ways it already has. And if the designer baby crowd have their way, you won't be limited by the DNA of your ancestors.

[WWLabRat]

If we are supposed to be the same result of the encrypted information our genes carries, how can we expect to yeild any better result through us.

 

This is where evolution comes into play. Evolution of a species will always trend toward that which is better able to survive a particular environment. It's also not a fast process. it takes many generations to see change in a species. So how does change come about? Mutations in the genetic code is the popular answer. Example: A deadly virus attacks humans. It's lethal to anyone who happens to have brown eye color alleles in there genetic code. However, it just gives a severe illness to other eye colors like blue, green, hazel, etc. A mutation in someone whose ancestors have brown eyes could cause that person to suddenly have red eyes which not only keep them from dying from the disease, but also combat it entirely. Suddenly those with red eyes will be more desirable for procreation. That red eye allele will become a more dominant trait in the environment and it will slowly start getting passed on to more and more genetic offspring. Eventually the majority of humans may have red eyes and thus be able to survive because of that.

 

Your genes contain the template for your brain, but your brain can come up with methods to get around the limitations of your genes.

 

 

Ultimately the genetic code will become mostly irrelevant.

 

Genetic code is the basis of life. One of the seven criteria which scientists currently define life. Without genetic material a species could not exist. There would be no way for it to pass any traits on to off spring. Even viruses (which are the closest things to living that actually aren't) have genetic code. Bacteria have genetic code. I don't see genes as ever being "irrelevant". And your genes are the same regardless of what cell at which you are looking. The only reason we have blood/nerve/skin/etc cells is because those individual cells that make up the tissue are expressing different portions of the genetic code, but your DNA is always the same. So therefore, your brain isn't capable of altering your genes.

[Ihcisphysicist]

 

This is where evolution comes into play. Evolution of a species will alw

 

 

Genetic code is the basis of life. One of the seven criteria which scientists currently define life. Without genetic material a species could not exist. There would be no way for it to pass any traits on to off spring. Even viruses (which are the closest things to living that actually aren't) have genetic code. Bacteria have genetic code. I don't see genes as ever being "irrelevant". And your genes are the same regardless of what cell at which you are looking. The only reason we have blood/nerve/skin/etc cells is because those individual cells that make up the tissue are expressing different portions of the genetic code, but your DNA is always the same. So therefore, your brain isn't capable of altering your genes.

So what you are implying is that the outer environment acts as a modem to evolve ourselves and without its stimulation we simply can't break the barrier of what is already encoded in our genes/dna...

[Endy0816]

Genetic code is the basis of life. One of the seven criteria which scientists currently define life. Without genetic material a species could not exist. There would be no way for it to pass any traits on to off spring. Even viruses (which are the closest things to living that actually aren't) have genetic code. Bacteria have genetic code. I don't see genes as ever being "irrelevant". And your genes are the same regardless of what cell at which you are looking. The only reason we have blood/nerve/skin/etc cells is because those individual cells that make up the tissue are expressing different portions of the genetic code, but your DNA is always the same. So therefore, your brain isn't capable of altering your genes.

 

 

Genetic Engineering is the obvious counterexample. Either of yourself or your offspring.

 

 

Everyday technology is even more powerful though, quietly working to remove one selective pressure at a time. In some finite time it will remove them all, at the end probably migrating from genetic coding altogether.

 

 

My guess would be homo transcendentalis, would consider themselves as evolving in terms of what their society, technology, and personal feelings dictate. Impossible to know for sure, but they will probably consider themselves as alive as we do.

[WWLabRat]

It wouldn't be possible, at least with modern technology, to genetically modify yourself. Ever heard of cancer? It's what happens when genetic material mutates within an already living being. This is why stuff like comic book superheros couldn't exist. An individual's genetic code is exactly what it is. However, the engineering of offspring would potentially be plausible if the genome sequence from both parents was known explicitly and you had the ability to alter specific portions of either to make the desirable outcome.

 

Even still, trying to purposefully mutate the genetic material would almost certainly backfire. At that point you are trying to keep stop evolution by not allowing natural selection to take place.

[Endy0816]

Gene Therapy is a real thing. Mainly uses retroviruses which have their own issues, but they work well enough.

[WWLabRat]

Retroviruses are also known to be linked with certain cancers because of their altering genetic data. The retroviruses used in gene therapy are also used to correct genetic defects, not alter good genes.

[jduff]

I do not believe you can escape your genetic code.

 

Everything that exists is unique. As every single piece of data that is DNA/RNA is its own individual. Data can only be made once. Is not repeatable. Although you can get similar data to show expressions or effects that are the same. No single piece of data that exists is alike. So you are stuck with your coding. You can add more or delete. But still each will be individual regardless of the addition or deletion of it.

Edited September 22, 2013 by jduff

[Endy0816]

Retroviruses are also known to be linked with certain cancers because of their altering genetic data. The retroviruses used in gene therapy are also used to correct genetic defects, not alter good genes.

 

 

Subjective as to what constitutes a "defect".

 

Either way though still a case of using your intelligence to directly counter the evolutionary mechanism.

 

 

Don't want to get too deep into designer genetics. Everyday technology is much more real world impacting. Not going to make genes disappear overnight, but neither will you be limited by them.

[Ophiolite]

If we are supposed to be the same result of the encrypted information our genes carries, how can we expect to yeild any better result through us.

I am interested in your choice of phrase "if we are supposed to be". Are you implying a teleological aspect to the specific results of evolution, or was it just a bit of colloquial english slipping into a technical question?

[WWLabRat]

I think in this context the colloquial phrase is what was meant.