The Darwinian Interlude

Microbiologist Carl Woese makes an argument for a new biological model based on communities and eco-systems rather than on genes and molecules. He theorizes that in the earliest days of life’s existence on the planet genetic information was shared on a lateral basis between life forms. At some point a bacterium developed that kept its genetic innovation to itself and began to out compete other forms of life. Thus the era of Darwinian evolution began.

For three billion years survival of the fittest was the rule of evolution. In recent millennia a new force began determining which life forms would prosper. Cultural selection based on the intelligence of Homo sapiens has promoted many species that would not have survived by Darwinian rules. In the past 30 years humans have developed the ability to transfer genetic material between unrelated organisms. Added to the rule of survival of the fittest is the new rule of survival of the most desirable to humans.

Link: The Darwinian interlude from Science & Theology News

If you enjoyed the article by Freeman Dyson at the above link, you may also enjoy this article: The Future of Evolution from Science & Theology News

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 2:41 PM on July 8, 2005

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