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Topic: Virii? (Read 807 times) |
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Kid-A
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Virii?
« on: 2003-04-22 19:02:03 » |
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Okay lets get this straight, i have no idea whether this is a good or bad, or whether this has already been considered. This was given to me by a friend and he would like to get some response to it, he is a lazy bastard and subsequently it isn't finished yet. So if you have any questions ask me, and i'll try and get back to you.
Virus Argument:
Note to self must finish this
Hypothesis
Virii are a mechanism for accelerating the process of evolution of a species
Argument basis
Virii are for the best part species specific
Not all viral infections destroy host
The number of pathogens afflicting a species increases over time
New species are not affected by all the pathogens from the species form which they have descended
Viral resistance is a selection advantage
Virii must be compatible with their targeted cells to be successful
Virii must be able to change with their targets
Virii are only active within cells
Virulence can be modified over time
Basic arguments
Act of increasing virulence to cause separation of groups, critical virulence theory
Encouragement of super ceding stagnant species
Creation of Selection pressures, even in environmental stasis
Unproven ancestry linkage
Mechanisms for viral infections to act as speciation initiators, i.e. transduction.
wow, lets go! 
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David Lucifer
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Enlighten me.
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Re:Virii?
« Reply #1 on: 2003-04-24 17:10:01 » |
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In the trivial sense a virus accelerates evolution by providing a means of selection, just like any other factor that selectively kills off some of the population. Is there more to this theory than that?
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Kid-A
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Re:Virii?
« Reply #2 on: 2003-04-25 18:02:54 » |
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I asked him what he meant and he said:
you have to think religous though, god moulding the world perfect by continuous selection pressure, and the fact the strength of the virus is proportional to population, he wants the worlds population, small idyllic parkland awaits etc. He reckons sars will get out of hand, and evolve quickly. He thinks it could get to the level of the Flu pandemic, a big poplation killer, the events that unfold over the next few years may forever change our society.
Anyway i still think that they could be a divine tool eg retrovirii can change dna; genetic enginieering?
It seems suspect there are so many tools naturally occuring that can change dont you think.
I asked him: coudn't that just be the way that they evolved to adapt to new environments?
so he said:yes, but i wanted then to think of god, like some crazy people do, but as me, i think that they are disease vectors, which can be used, but it is nice to see from other perspectives.
then the conversation turned:
Kid-A: As i've always said you are crazy, but i respect you for it.
K:good good, and if you dont i'll run you down in my car.
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You're probably wondering why i'm here, well so am I, so am I.
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David Lucifer
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Enlighten me.
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Re:Virii?
« Reply #3 on: 2003-04-27 12:49:58 » |
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I don't think there is much merit to the idea of virii as divinely designed evolution shapers. After all, if a god wanted to direct evolution, it could certainly do it more effectively more directly.
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Kid-A
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Re:Virii?
« Reply #4 on: 2003-04-27 15:27:49 » |
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Heh yeah either that or there's a notice up saying "gone fishin'."
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