An inventive mechanism; developing multicellularity (Evolution)

by Balance_Maintained , U.S.A., Friday, November 07, 2014, 06:42 (3668 days ago) @ David Turell

Not sure what to make of this. The article is interesting, but it seems like a lot is being assumed, something are being said that aren't, and some things aren't being said that are.-"When cheats were embraced we discovered something surprising," Dr Rose says. "Evolution saw a new kind of entity—a group comprised of two different cell states: cheating and cooperating cells. Evolution couldn't focus on just one state or the other; for lineages to persist, evolution had to see both types—it had to work on a developmental programme."-"Little is known", explains Professor Rainey, "but life cycles involving at least two different states are almost universal in the world of multicellular organisms. I suspect that this is because multiphase life cycles generate an organismal configuration that delivers to natural selection a machine-like entity with which it can really work.-One interesting there is, that is slightly off-topic, is the personification of Evolution being used here, as well as the contradictory assumptions. I also find the mention of links to Cancer interesting, because that would mean that this effect is overall deleterious to the organisms over time.

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What is the purpose of living? How about, 'to reduce needless suffering. It seems to me to be a worthy purpose.