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New findings: Individuals can have “multiple genomes”

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Further to “70% of published genetic sequence comparisons are not publicly accessible?”, science writer Carl Zimmer tells us in the New York Times

From biology class to “C.S.I.,” we are told again and again that our genome is at the heart of our identity. Read the sequences in the chromosomes of a single cell, and learn everything about a person’s genetic information — or, as 23andme, a prominent genetic testing company, says on its Web site, “The more you know about your DNA, the more you know about yourself.”

But scientists are discovering that — to a surprising degree — we contain genetic multitudes. Not long ago, researchers had thought it was rare for the cells in a single healthy person to differ genetically in a significant way. But scientists are finding that it’s quite common for an individual to have multiple genomes. Some people, for example, have groups of cells with mutations that are not found in the rest of the body. Some have genomes that came from other people. More.

Needless to say, as Zimmer learns, in an age of profitable  genomic fundamentalism, this hasn’t been widely advertised. 😉

Comments
This is a fascinating post. One gets the sense that it upsets the apple cart somewhat, although I'm not sure I sense its implications. I feel like a man with a deep sense of foreboding but can't quite put my finger on the reason. News and BA (if I may abbreviate you BornAgain77) a delight to make your acquaintance. I have enjoyed reading your posts over time. News, you have a gift of making your posts sound as light as air. They are most enjoyable to read. BA, well! I sometimes wonder if you are really an encyclopaedia. I salute your relentless research with my brolly. So could we list the possible implications of the above findings. Pro-ID, anti-ID, or not even ID at all.Ho-De-Ho
September 18, 2013
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As well, Skin cells reveal DNA's genetic mosaic - Nov. 18, 2012 Excerpt: The longstanding belief has been that our cells have the same DNA sequence and this blueprint governs the body's functions. The Yale team's research challenges this dogma.,,, While observing that the genome of iPS cells closely resembles the genome of skin cells from which they originated, the team could identify several deletions or duplications involving thousands of base pairs of DNA. The team then performed additional experiments to understand the origin of those differences, and showed that at least half of them pre-existed in small fractions of skin cells. These differences were revealed in iPS cells because each iPS line is derived from one, or very few, skin cells. Vaccarino said these iPS lines could act as a magnifying glass to see the mosaic of genomic differences in the body's cells. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-11/yu-scr111512.php But then again considering,,, “The genome is an ‘organ of the cell’, not its dictator” - Denis Nobel – President of the International Union of Physiological Sciences ,,, Why should any of this really be that surprising considering that trillions upon trillions of cells form a coherent whole?,,, Physiology moves back onto centre stage: a new synthesis with evolutionary biology – Denis Nobel – July 2013 – video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzD1daWq4ng Here is the paper that accompanies the preceding video: Physiology is rocking the foundations of evolutionary biology - Denis Noble - 17 MAY 2013 Excerpt: The ‘Modern Synthesis’ (Neo-Darwinism) is a mid-20th century gene-centric view of evolution, based on random mutations accumulating to produce gradual change through natural selection.,,, We now know that genetic change is far from random and often not gradual.,,, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/expphysiol.2012.071134/abstract Alexander Tsiaras: Conception to birth — visualized – video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKyljukBE70 Comment from preceding video: “the marvel of this information,” “the mathematical models of how these things are done are beyond human comprehension,” “even though I look at this with the eyes of mathematician I look at this and marvel. How do these instruction sets not make mistakes as they build what is us?” Mathematician and medical image maker Alexander Tsiaras Psalm 139:15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;bornagain77
September 18, 2013
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What you mean, "nice find," bornagain? This is water in a dam FLOOD! Just how many of the genomic pronunciamentos DO back up what we have been instructed to believe is what some of us would like to know! - O'Leary for News ;)News
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Nice find!bornagain77
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