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beskeptigal
SFN Die Hard
USA
3834 Posts |
 Posted - 02/18/2006 : 02:40:45 [Permalink]
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| I don't think your hypothesis is very likely HM. It's just a whole lot more probable nice canines got to hang with people and meet other nice canines to make nicer puppies. The more feral animals likely didn't come into camp or if they were puppies, they may have been killed by the first hand they bit. |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2006 : 02:46:13 [Permalink]
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I certainly think you are probably right, B. But this is going to be a work of fiction, so I may well go with a less probable, but (maybe) more "interesting" scenario, especially as this one would mesh better with the main theme I'll be exploring in the novel: genetic manipulation on a large scale.
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“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
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beskeptigal
SFN Die Hard
USA
3834 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2006 : 04:25:55 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by HalfMooner
I certainly think you are probably right, B. But this is going to be a work of fiction, so I may well go with a less probable, but (maybe) more "interesting" scenario, especially as this one would mesh better with the main theme I'll be exploring in the novel: genetic manipulation on a large scale.
In that case this might help. It's one of the links for a reference in the Wiki link from Dave's post. |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2006 : 12:43:57 [Permalink]
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Thanks, B! I'll read that one, too. Hmm, "Esalen" and "New Paradigm" right at the top. Okay, I'll keep reading, anyway. ; )
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“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
| Edited by - HalfMooner on 02/18/2006 13:26:27 |
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Dude
SFN Die Hard
USA
6891 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2006 : 13:23:52 [Permalink]
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Hawks said:
quote:
They sure can. But they don't have to be retroviruses - any virus can do it via a process known as transduction.
Ok, I love it when a thread sends me off reading and I learn something new.
Thanks Hawks!
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Ignorance is preferable to error; and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing, than he who believes what is wrong.
-- Thomas Jefferson
"god :: the last refuge of a man with no answers and no argument." - G. Carlin
Hope, n.
The handmaiden of desperation; the opiate of despair; the illegible signpost on the road to perdition. ~~ da filth |
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Hawks
SFN Regular
Canada
1383 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2006 : 15:37:26 [Permalink]
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I think that horizontal gene transfer is a great topic for a (sci-fi) book. If I had any writing abilities, I would probably have done it myself. Anyone keen on scaring people about the "dangers of genetic modification" could have a field day by writing about the siRNAs I mentioned earlier. These small (21 base pairs) double-stranded RNAs can (sometimes,often ) shut down the expression of single genes. Sometimes this effect is also heritable. Viruses would be an excellent way to infect people with these siRNAs. Imagine shutting of peoples abilities to degrade alcohol. Imagine shutting of genes that tend to make people selfish. On a darker side, imagine shutting of genes vital for fetal development; you commit this act of terror and no one would notice for months.
Food for thought, eh? |
METHINKS IT IS LIKE A WEASEL
It's a small, off-duty czechoslovakian traffic warden! |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2006 : 16:16:24 [Permalink]
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My story (if I ever get to the actual writing) will take place some decades after the oft-predicted "technological singularity" (aka the "Rapture of the Nerds"), which some futurists expect might take place around the year 2020, and which usually is assumed to involve the advent of true AI. In a world where the AI crisis is recent history, my story will be about lingering aspects of a "biological singularity," yet another historical crisis.
In the story, genomes will not only have been fully mapped, but will actually be understood. By studying the differences in genes (and especially gene expressions) between chimp and man, the key genetic material that makes Homo sapiens "sapiens" will be known. Those genes will be carefully transferred to other mammals.
Meanwhile, unmanned sub-light probes will be arriving at remotely identified extrasolar planets which appear capable of harboring human inhabitants. Each probe carries (my next research project) the remote half of a "quantum teleportation" device, allowing swift passage though to the distant planets.
Humans and their genetically modified sapient animal companions explore those worlds.
There's nothing really unique about these fictional ideas, but I do have in mind some plot details that may be fresh.
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“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
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Siberia
SFN Addict
Brazil
2322 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2006 : 16:20:14 [Permalink]
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That's truly a great theme for a sci-fi book; I entertain my own novels-to-be-that-never-are (also known as the ideas floating in my brain that never get written) by predicting far-into-the-big-future biology, via evolution. Much fun.
I demand a signed copy of that book when it comes out  |
"Why are you afraid of something you're not even sure exists?"
- The Kovenant, Via Negativa
"People who don't like their beliefs being laughed at shouldn't have such funny beliefs."
-- unknown
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2006 : 17:04:35 [Permalink]
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Siberia requested:quote:
I demand a signed copy of that book when it comes out
Thanks! You'll get it, when/if this is ever completed, sold, and published.
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“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
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Siberia
SFN Addict
Brazil
2322 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2006 : 17:09:44 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by HalfMooner
Siberia requested:quote:
I demand a signed copy of that book when it comes out
Thanks! You'll get it, when/if this is ever completed, sold, and published.
It better be! I'm curious already. |
"Why are you afraid of something you're not even sure exists?"
- The Kovenant, Via Negativa
"People who don't like their beliefs being laughed at shouldn't have such funny beliefs."
-- unknown
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