On Sat, Apr 26, 2008 at 11:18 AM, Michael Perelman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Genetic engineering seems to be somewhat similar to the introduction > of new species, but on a far smaller scale. The technology began when > the idea was common that each gene was responsible for a single > characteristic. Now, people realized that the genome is far more > complex than anyone had imagined. > > My question is, do we have anything to learn from the experience with > the introduction of invasive species?
I am not sure the analogy is appropriate. Even acknowledging the existence of complex networks in the genome, it is still the case that linkages are far more localized in a genome than in an eco-system of species. I don't think there is even a single documented case of a new gene being introduced in an organism that caused new unexpected proteins to be produced. It is theoretically possible I guess, but I don't think it has ever been observed so far. The greater danger appears to be that new genes can be passed on to other organisms in unpredictable ways. -raghu. _______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
