Comments on: We’re All a Bunch of Genetic Mutants, Research Finds http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2009/09/02/were-all-a-bunch-of-genetic-mutants-research-finds/ Quirky, funny, and surprising science news from the edge of the known universe. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:13:47 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Kevin http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2009/09/02/were-all-a-bunch-of-genetic-mutants-research-finds/comment-page-1/#comment-25847 Kevin Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:38:51 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2009/09/02/were-all-a-bunch-of-genetic-mutants-research-finds/#comment-25847 The claim is that we introduce 100-200 new mutations into the human genome, but it implies that there were that many mutations between the men and their 1805 ancestor. Also, rates of mutation may not be constant across chromosomes. The article did not clarify what percentage of these mutations were found on actual genes rather than in DNA that never gets translated. Lastly, wouldn't most of our mutations arise during the billions of cell divisions as we go through development? Which implies that different cell lines within our body would have different mutations. To actually contribute lasting new mutations to the human genome would require that 1) those mutations are specifically found in the sperm (or eggs) and 2) that the carrier actually reproduces! The claim is that we introduce 100-200 new mutations into the human genome, but it implies that there were that many mutations between the men and their 1805 ancestor. Also, rates of mutation may not be constant across chromosomes. The article did not clarify what percentage of these mutations were found on actual genes rather than in DNA that never gets translated. Lastly, wouldn’t most of our mutations arise during the billions of cell divisions as we go through development? Which implies that different cell lines within our body would have different mutations. To actually contribute lasting new mutations to the human genome would require that 1) those mutations are specifically found in the sperm (or eggs) and 2) that the carrier actually reproduces!

]]> By: Kieguy http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2009/09/02/were-all-a-bunch-of-genetic-mutants-research-finds/comment-page-1/#comment-25835 Kieguy Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:30:29 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2009/09/02/were-all-a-bunch-of-genetic-mutants-research-finds/#comment-25835 Is that the full extent of the study...comparison between two Chinese men? Don't you need a much bigger set of comparisons to draw any meaningful estimates from? And the conclusion isn't anything new. We already knew random mutations happen with everybody's DNA...maybe just not a good estimate on how many...? Is that the full extent of the study…comparison between two Chinese men? Don’t you need a much bigger set of comparisons to draw any meaningful estimates from? And the conclusion isn’t anything new. We already knew random mutations happen with everybody’s DNA…maybe just not a good estimate on how many…?

]]> By: LMA http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2009/09/02/were-all-a-bunch-of-genetic-mutants-research-finds/comment-page-1/#comment-25789 LMA Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:50:17 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2009/09/02/were-all-a-bunch-of-genetic-mutants-research-finds/#comment-25789 true*, not through. true*, not through.

]]> By: LMA http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2009/09/02/were-all-a-bunch-of-genetic-mutants-research-finds/comment-page-1/#comment-25788 LMA Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:49:56 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2009/09/02/were-all-a-bunch-of-genetic-mutants-research-finds/#comment-25788 Does the same hold through for identical twins? Does the same hold through for identical twins?

]]> By: D J Wray http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2009/09/02/were-all-a-bunch-of-genetic-mutants-research-finds/comment-page-1/#comment-25732 D J Wray Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:06:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2009/09/02/were-all-a-bunch-of-genetic-mutants-research-finds/#comment-25732 Have they identified mutations in "brain DNA" or is the king of all body parts left in the too hard basket once again? D J Wray Have they identified mutations in “brain DNA” or is the king of all body parts left in the too hard basket once again?

D J Wray

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