Tree of life gets a total makeover: now giant viruses (Introduction)

by David Turell , Sunday, June 17, 2018, 15:03 (2350 days ago) @ dhw

dhw: These blurred lines between virus and cell, and new genes that lead to evolutionary innovation, seem to me to support the view that evolution has been driven by the autonomous intelligence of microorganisms. However, the following quote came as a surprise to me:
“…most of these viruses' genes may originate spontaneously and randomly in intergenic regions. In this scenario, genes "appear" in different locations from one strain to another, thus explaining their unique nature.”
My proposal is that adaptations and innovations arise mainly in response to the challenges and opportunities presented by environmental conditions – both local and global. The article confirms the link with different locations, so I don’t know why the researchers say they are random. If they are unique to locations, that would suggest to me that they are intentionally produced to fit in with those locations.

DAVID: The genes are 'random' if the new ones pop up in unrelated regions to the genome in the past. Are the genes purposefully produced as you state? By the organism or by God?

dhw: By definition all innovation has to involve something unrelated to the past. You always emphasize your God’s purposefulness, and I too assume that any adaptation or innovation will be purposeful. For you, it is your God who purposefully preprogrammed or dabbled every innovation, lifestyle and natural wonder. I propose that the organisms use their autonomous intelligence to produce them all purposefully, but I do not know where that autonomous intelligence comes from. Your God is clearly one option.

Still on he fence

ADDENDUM:
DAVID: Note this statement by the article:
"If confirmed, this groundbreaking hypothesis would make these giant viruses craftsmen of genetic creativity -- a central, but still poorly explained component of any understanding of the source of life and its evolution."

dhw: I did indeed note it, and it is integral to my proposal that cellular intelligence (to which we must add viral intelligence) is the driving force of evolution. I agree that the source is “poorly explained”! Your God, chance, and some form of atheistic panpsychism are three of the poor explanations.

One is correct