New discovery shows human cells can write RNA sequences into DNA

[We Never Know]

Summary:
In a discovery that challenges long-held dogma in biology, researchers show that mammalian cells can convert RNA sequences back into DNA, a feat more common in viruses than eukaryotic cells.

Cells contain machinery that duplicates DNA into a new set that goes into a newly formed cell. That same class of machines, called polymerases, also build RNA messages, which are like notes copied from the central DNA repository of recipes, so they can be read more efficiently into proteins. But polymerases were thought to only work in one direction DNA into DNA or RNA. This prevents RNA messages from being rewritten back into the master recipe book of genomic DNA. Now, Thomas Jefferson University researchers provide the first evidence that RNA segments can be written back into DNA, which potentially challenges the central dogma in biology and could have wide implications affecting many fields of biology.

New discovery shows human cells can write RNA sequences into DNA

 

[AlexanderG]

This actually reinforces evolution. One strain of Christian anti-evolution apologetics claims that there is no biological mechanism to increase genetic information; they claim that the existing species can only have their DNA degrade over time. They call this "genetic entropy" which is currently an unsupported and basically falsified model.

Granted, we already know about numerous ways for the amount of DNA to increase in an individual or species population, but this just adds another one. DNA reuptake of RNA is simply another way for a genome to accrue new mutations or gain additional DNA to work with.

Biology has no dogma. If something is shown to be true through good experimental evidence, then the consensus of experts in biology will accept it and incorporate it into the body of knowledge. If it's big enough to change a model or even the overarching theory, then it will change, but this discovery really does neither.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Summary:
In a discovery that challenges long-held dogma in biology, researchers show that mammalian cells can convert RNA sequences back into DNA, a feat more common in viruses than eukaryotic cells.

Cells contain machinery that duplicates DNA into a new set that goes into a newly formed cell. That same class of machines, called polymerases, also build RNA messages, which are like notes copied from the central DNA repository of recipes, so they can be read more efficiently into proteins. But polymerases were thought to only work in one direction DNA into DNA or RNA. This prevents RNA messages from being rewritten back into the master recipe book of genomic DNA. Now, Thomas Jefferson University researchers provide the first evidence that RNA segments can be written back into DNA, which potentially challenges the central dogma in biology and could have wide implications affecting many fields of biology.

New discovery shows human cells can write RNA sequences into DNA

Stop Evolution, now. Generally every mutation is bad for somebody. I am perfectly fine with no more evolution. The human race should decide for ourselves what DNA to have, what to get rid of, what to add. Lets stop evolution.

 

[sun rise]

The human race should decide for ourselves what DNA to have

Spoiler: sarcasm

After all, we've done such a great job with everything else.

 

[We Never Know]

Stop Evolution, now. Generally every mutation is bad for somebody. I am perfectly fine with no more evolution. The human race should decide for ourselves what DNA to have, what to get rid of, what to add. Lets stop evolution.

In my opinion we have altered evolution, if not stalled evolution not only for ourselves but many species.