When opportunity arises, some people will grasp their chance, many will not believe or trust their luck, whilst others will sit back and let the opportunity pass or have it taken away from them. Fate may deliver new possibilities but whether or not those possibilities prove fruitful will depend on the individual. The same may … Continue reading Genetic Performance and Mutational Opportunity
Sci-fi Genetics – Correcting the Vision
Watching futuristic sci-fi films often proves quite problematic for me. A large proportion of the population always seem to be missing. Where are all the ugly, over-weight, bespectacled, disabled people? They no longer seem to exist. I can only presume that they must have been transferred into some “Wellsian” underworld. But maybe not; maybe there … Continue reading Sci-fi Genetics – Correcting the Vision
Genetic Luck – A Favoured Humanity?
Right here; right now. What are the odds? So often - too often - we take our existence for granted. It didn’t have to be like this. We didn’t have to be here; we didn’t have to be here in this state of being. Things could have turned out very differently. In Nature there are … Continue reading Genetic Luck – A Favoured Humanity?
Genetic Intensification – The Drive to Extremes
If something works then you will persist in doing that something. You may even try to enhance or extend that something. In fact, the more you can do of that something then the better it should be for you. It’s tried and tested. Why would you do anything different? This is not only a natural … Continue reading Genetic Intensification – The Drive to Extremes
Contracted to Society
If we want society to support us then we have to support society. That is the basis of our contractual relationship with society. Society will look after us but we must also look after society. Society gives us rights and protections as individuals, support and benefits when we’re in need, a living environment that is … Continue reading Contracted to Society
Understanding Sophie’s Choice: It’s about a Return to Nature
In the film "Sophie’s Choice", Sophie (played by Meryl Streep) is ordered by a Nazi officer to make the difficult choice as to which of her two children she keeps – one would be gassed to death and one would be sent to a children’s camp. As any parent will testify, it’s an impossible decision … Continue reading Understanding Sophie’s Choice: It’s about a Return to Nature
Evolution – A Game of Chinese Whispers
If you had to think of an analogy to best describe evolution and the process of natural selection you might well opt for it being akin to a game of Chinese Whispers (or as some people call it - the Telephone Game). This comparison between the two is often made and is even used in … Continue reading Evolution – A Game of Chinese Whispers
Genetic Engineering: It’s Both Essential and Inevitable
One thing that is apparent from our longer lifespans is that, as we age, the human form is prone to many genetically driven debilitating conditions. In other words, the longer we live the more likely we are to succumb to some genetically prescribed condition, notably cancers and degenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer’s. Similarly, throughout our … Continue reading Genetic Engineering: It’s Both Essential and Inevitable
Human Evolution – Past Success; Future Uncertainty
Humanity – we’re doing alright. In fact, we’re probably doing better than alright. We’ve been around awhile and, generally, our existence has not been too much in doubt. This is because, over the years, thousands of years, we have put ourselves in a strong evolutionary position. As a species, at some point in our development … Continue reading Human Evolution – Past Success; Future Uncertainty
A Genetic Appraisal – A Measure of Humanity’s Performance
We may not be due our year end, a salary review or our final exams but it should not mean that we are exempt from a genetic appraisal of how we are performing as a species. Are we achieving what we are supposed to be striving for? How well are we doing? How do we … Continue reading A Genetic Appraisal – A Measure of Humanity’s Performance