An Alternative to Evolution: pt 1 (Introduction)

by Balance_Maintained , U.S.A., Monday, July 02, 2018, 10:10 (2335 days ago)

If the giant that is the current evolutionary model is to be supplanted, something must fill the place it occupied; some theory that answers all of the same questions and more. So, I would like to propose a hypothesis and have you tear it apart for me. Please limit the scope of commentary to the objective facts of the hypothesis. I'm trying to poke holes in it so I can refine it.

I propose that:
*Note - While this is all one hypothesis, I have attempted to try and categorize the points so that they are more easily examined, not on the basis of importance. I have also added a brief aside after each for clarification. For clarity, when I use Function(capital F), I am referring to a function as defined in computer programming. In programming, it means a named section of a program that performs a specific task. In this sense, a function is a type of procedure or routine. Some programming languages make a distinction between a function, which returns a value, and a procedure or method, which performs some operation but does not return a value. In short, a method only alters the internal state, but does not impact the external environment directly. Cells have both, such as activating a cells self-destruct cycle, but for clarity, I limited myself to using the word Function. I use the word Evolve to mean gaining new genetic information and new genetic functionality. Please note that I make no reference nor inference regarding the original source of information, the identity or nature of any designer.

Framework

• 1 DNA is a modular information project, wherein each chunk of genetic information (Gene) contains the instruction for a particular specified Function.
  
• 2 This coding standard will be repeated across all forms of life found on Earth.
  
• 3 That the sum total of the output in all valid combinations of Functions represents the possibility space for life as we know it.
  
• 4 Some Functions will be incompatible, unable operate at the same time in the same organism.
  
• 5 There will be safe guards in place to prevent incompatible functions either from coexisting or from operating in the same organism at the same time. If co-existence is forced, the organism will generally die, or at the very least, be sterile, preventing the spread of incompatible functions.
  
• 6 That some, if not most, Functions will have variables, or expression modifiers, that can be conserved or inherited both inside the species and to its progeny.
  
• 7 That Function design will largely be conserved across all species requiring similar function, regardless of heredity. In short, functionality is more important than descent.
  
• 8 That living organisms, and their cells and cellular machinery, will be subject to the laws of physics as they are the information environment in which their functional programming is designed to operate.
  
• 9 If DNA is purely information, it will need some method for acting upon the material world, a way of transitioning from information to mass or energy, in accordance with the laws of physics. I should think that, ultimately, this will reveal a side of physics that we do not yet fully comprehend.

Genetic Information

• 1 That no natural process will add Functions to a species that it did not already possess. This does not preclude appropriating an existing functions by altering its input parameters to achieve a different output.
  
• 2 That random mutations can not create new information for Natural Selection to act on.
  
• 3 That Natural Selection may account for inherited variation of conserved Functional Parameters.
  
• 4 It is impossible for life to evolve, increase in complexity, without the addition of information.
  
• 5 There is no known natural process for increasing biological information.
  
• 6 If deleterious mutations are conserved, and no new information is being added to the genome, we are in a process of devolution, not evolution.
  
• 7 That we can not, as of yet, scientifically prove where the information source for DNA originated.
  
• 8 Because of the critical importance of Function design, multiple processes will be used to prevent and/or repair mutated code.
  
• 9 That coding mutations will overwhelmingly cause the Function to malfunction, at best being benign, at worst harming or killing the organism.
  
• 10 The relationship between proteins and DNA must include some form of formal language (purely in the sense of information exchange, which can happen chemically, such as how protein shape can alter gene expression) in order to interact.
  
• 11 That the information density in even a single living cell will be too complex to be reduced to mere chance.
  
• 12 That each species will contain a set of baseline parameters that are unique to their species, and fundamentally incompatible with other species, resulting in stillborn or sterile offspring should they be produced at all.
  
• 13 That Functions within a strand of DNA can interact and influence other Functions by altering input parameters, thus changing the environment, but they will be unable to alter another function directly. (Encapsulation)

Continued in pt 2

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