Re: Evolution of DNA and Code.

Henry Wilson wrote:-


OK I can understand most of that.

What is the form of this nonadditive information? If is heritable it
must be included in the DNA molecules themselves...almost certainly
in the 98% that doesn't code for polypeptides.

JE:-
NON additive information is not restricted to just DNA molecules. It
also includes an as yet unknown DNA molecule coding system. IOW, what
remains critically missing from evolutionary theory is a meta genetic
code, i.e. a missing code which can be represented by _specific gene
combinations_ allowing the inclusion of 98% of the genome which does not
appear to code for anything. If the genetic code represents the letters
in natures alphabet and base sequences that code for polypeptide the
words, then non additive (epistatic) information represents natures
sentences which regulate the meaning of genetic words. Just as sentences
regulate words the missing meta code must regulate the genetic code.
Even when this meta code is not understood the selective consequences of
it have to be incorporated within Neo Darwinian models. As a start, note
that each level of coding remains critically set nested within the other
i.e. the nesting cannot be reversed and the same meaning maintained. Non
additive information always comes this way: packaged as ONE selectable
whole because it necessarily reduces the meaning of parts (nested sub
sets) to a context (the specific set which nests it). To be able to
select any part you have to selected the whole it is just a part of.
This is so natural that mostly we fail to grasp the significance of it.
The problem is, natural forms of set nesting remain deleted within all
mathematically based Neo Darwinian models on which modern evolutionary
theory remains based. IOW, no meta code system can be proposed within
Neo Darwinism as long as non additive information remains deleted.
Inevitably this leaves researchers with no option but to scratch their
heads and throw out 98% of the genome as "junk" which it almost
certainly is not. In short, critical epistatic information can have NO
FRAME OF REFERENCE WITHIN NEO DARWINIAN EVOLUTIONARY THEORY.

I don't claim to know much about this subject but assuming nature
works in the most efficient way, one can speculate about certain
questions and answers.

For instance, has DNA evolved an amount of 'intelligence' that not
only supplements natural selection but also actively enhances it? If
so, how can this intelligence be manifested purely in biochemical
processes?

JE:-

My answer: as nested (non reversible)sets of biochemical processes.


We know that inherited information IS 'passively' intelligent since
it contains all the 'instructions' needed to create a lifeform
similar to the parent. Some cells make livers, some toe nails. But is
there as active component?....one that makes simple decisions during
growth, like: "if A then B, if not A then C".

JE:-
To even begin to work this out a meta theory of genetic coding has to be
proposed.

Identical twins reared both together or apart are by no means 100%
physically identical. Heritability factors are typically around
50-90% indicating a fair amount of environmental influence. They are
much higher for twins reared together than for those reared apart in
rather different environments. Significantly, the heritability of eye
colour is only about 98% in identical twins reared together.

JE:-
IMHO these important facts point to a missing meta genetic code which
cannot even be put as speculation within Neo Darwinism. This is because
without any set nesting at all, continuing to employ just additive (set
intersected) information within what becomes a poly-centric (many
independent levels of selection) model necessarily deletes any possible
frame of reference for a meta coding system. At least one nested set has
to be proposed for any frame of reference to exist because any proposed
meta code necessarily set nests the existing genetic code. The net
result of this is that only a single unit (level) of selection now
becomes possible. IOW, in order to allow epistatic (non additive)
information into evolutionary theory the many levels of selection that
are assumed within Neo Darwinian models no longer remain valid.

snip for brevity<


Regards,

John Edser
Independent Researcher

edser@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx



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