Thanks Keith, Merry Christmas,
REH From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Keith Hudson Sent: Friday, December 24, 2010 4:28 AM To: RE-DESIGNING WORK, INCOME DISTRIBUTION, , EDUCATION Subject: [Futurework] Sraightening out Paris japonica If an individual's DNA could be straightened out flat it would be about 2 metres long. If the DNA of a Japanese alpine plant, Paris japonica, were straightened out, it would be longer than the height of Big Ben (about 95 metres). But, with only 25,000 genes, we've no need to feel inferior to the plant's 1,250,000 genes. Most of the latter are duplicates and quadruplets and, in any case, our DNA has the ability to permutate so many different coalitions of genes that we have vastly more flexibility to survive. Paris japonica, in fact, is in danger of extinction. It, and many more hitherto unknown plant species, have been saved -- for now -- by the scientists at Kew Gardens who go around the world searching for rare species and to store their seed. What about Magnistipula multinervia also? This is a 40 metres high tree living in the lush rain forests of Cameroon. There are only four of these left in the wild -- but now saved from extinction by Kew Gardens. Quite besides the satisfactions of scientific curiosity and warm feelings of stewardship for the astonishing diversity of life on the planet, why should we be thankful for saving Paris japonica and Magnistipula multinervia? It's very simple. They might have unique genes, the knowledge of which we'll be very glad of in the coming years. They might even be life-saving. We thus have very selfish reasons for saving as many species as possible even though the economic text books don't mention this important activity yet. Keith Keith Hudson, Saltford, England http://allisstatus.wordpress.com/2010/12/
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