Scientists find Megavirus

[Welsh cake]

A virus so big you can see it with an ordinary light microscope.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15242386

On the subject of pathogens I wonder if viruses were responsible for evolution?

[5thHorseman]

You dig up some great news WC.

[popeyespappy]

On the subject of pathogens I wonder if viruses were responsible for evolution?

Viruses have undoubtedly played some role in the history evolution. Noted biologist Lynn Margulis (use to be Carl Sagan’s wife), the mother of endosymbiotic theory, has shown us that horizontal gene transfer was a big part of evolution. It is hard to imagine that viruses have not played an important role in our evolution considering that about 10% of human DNA consists of viral insertions. Margulis is on record as saying she believes horizontal transfer is probably at least as important to evolution as natural selection. That’s a controversial position, but so was her stance on endosymbiotic theory when she first published on it in the 60’s.

[Minimalist]

Margulis is on record as saying she believes horizontal transfer is probably at least as important to evolution as natural selection.

Wait... What about fucking jesus?!!!

[popeyespappy]

Margulis is on record as saying she believes horizontal transfer is probably at least as important to evolution as natural selection.

Wait... What about fucking jesus?!!!

I don’t think sexual reproduction counts as horizontal transfer Min. So fucking Jesus would have little effect unless you got a retrovirus from him.

[Minimalist]

You count your way and I'll count mine!

[Anomalocaris]

One theory for the origin of sexual reproduction was that it counters horizontal gene transfer.

[Minimalist]

That's what I call intelligent design!

[Anomalocaris]

That's what I call intelligent design!

No doubt.

[popeyespappy]

One theory for the origin of sexual reproduction was that it counters horizontal gene transfer.

Could be but like any successful biological entity viruses seem to have adapted in order to deal with that.

Coalescent analysis of HERV-K106 3′ LTR sequences representing 51 ethnically diverse individuals suggests that HERV-K106 integrated into the human germ line approximately 150,000 years ago, after the emergence of anatomically modern humans.

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Ado...ne.0020234