bacterial intelligence shown to be DNA driven (Animals)

by dhw, Thursday, October 12, 2017, 14:04 (2598 days ago) @ David Turell

Dhw: Your agreement that cellular intelligence is NOT “beyond possibility” is key to hypothesis 3). That does not mean hypothesis 3) is now proven. It means that hypothesis 3) is possible.

DAVID: I believe I said that since God is universal consciousness His consciousness could be extended into the cellular level. I still believe cellular responses are automatic.

dhw: The exchange came about when I listed scientists who believe in cellular intelligence, and so you listed some scientists who don’t. You agreed that the fact that there is no consensus must mean that neither hypothesis is “beyond possibility”, then you questioned why your agreement was key to the whole debate on how evolution happened. I know you don’t accept (3) (the autonomous inventive mechanism), but if cellular intelligence is possible, then so is (3). That is why your agreement is key to the whole debate.

DAVID: The article I presented showed that bacterial responses are dependent on DNA and when artificially changed the bacteria changed. All automatic.

If scientists were to “artificially” inject a cocktail of poisons into your system, bash your brains out with a sledgehammer, or expose you to a few nasty viruses from their laboratory, I suggest there might well be automatic changes to your behaviour. You would no doubt say that human autonomy of thought cannot be judged by what happens when the body is subjected to artificial, body-changing influences. And I say equal rights for bacteria.

DAVID: When I say 'not beyond possibility' I'm admitting I accept the fact that I could be wrong, but I think not. Shapiro's finding that bacteria can edit their own DNA, in my view, is an automatic mechanism given to bacteria by God.

I know you think you’re right. I am only asking you to admit that you could be wrong. I know you disagree with Shapiro. And Shapiro disagrees with you. There is no consensus. Until there is, my hypothesis is not beyond possibility.