Cross-Species Gene Transfer

Now that scientists are looking for evidence of cross-species gene transfer, they're sure finding a lot of cases. Here's another one - a bacterial gene goes into an insect - and yes, it’s functional.

Coffee Pest Gene Transfer

An insect that plagues coffee plants likely got its bean-digesting gene from a bacterium.

Horizontal or lateral gene transfers—the swap of genetic material between different species—are relatively rare in animals and, when they are identified, they frequently have unknown ecological significance. Research published online today (February 27) in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that a coffee-devouring insect pest has a bacterial gene embedded in its DNA that encodes a coffee-digesting protein.

“What’s novel in this case is a bacterial gene going into the insect that actually allows the insect to feed off of a new food source,” said Julie Dunning Hotopp, a genomicist who studies lateral gene transfer at the University of Maryland and was not involved in the research. “It’s a gene that’s been transferred and it’s functional.”

I have a feeling cross-species, cross-kingdom and even cross-domain gene transfer is much more common than anyone suspects. Of course, even acknowledging the possibility is major - dogma decrees it's impossible. ...Welcome to the paradigm shift.

I think we already knew that genes can be transferred across species. They used a gene from a fish to make potatoes glow when they needed to be watered.

The question is, how far can we take it?

reply to post by Starchild23

I think we already knew that genes can be transferred across species.

I think the point is that the process is routine in nature, not restricted to closed and sterile laboratories. ...A lot of people - even educated ones - still think the "species barrier" is sacrosanct.

They used a gene from a fish to make potatoes glow when they needed to be watered.

The question is, how far can we take it?

That and more. My questions would be, "How far SHOULD we take it?" and more importantly,

"Where is nature taking us while we're busy fiddling with things we don't really understand?"

Very interesting that gene transfer can happen naturally. I'm willing to bet that the laboratory induced gene manipulation is vastly different than what occurs in nature however.

On another note, this post reminded me of an album by the Yonkers death metal legends Malignancy called Cross Species Transmutation. If you're a fan of very technical death metal, check it out.

www.metal-archives.com...

Viruses are carrying RNA transfers between linked species for communication about environmental changes, and audit controls.

Bacteria and fungus are performing a similar function with genetic exchange.

The rampant overuse of anitbiotics and vaccinations takes on a whole new meaning when you see that.

anybody ever hear of the fluorescent bunny?
pages.uindy.edu...

reply to post by Aeons

Viruses are carrying RNA transfers between linked species for communication about environmental changes, and audit controls.

Bacteria and fungus are performing a similar function with genetic exchange.

The rampant overuse of anitbiotics and vaccinations takes on a whole new meaning when you see that.

Excellent summary.

...Even people who know about experimental transfers don't seem to recognize that the same thing happens in nature. Our industries spew out stuff that changes the environment, forcing microbes, viruses and molecules to mutate, and triggering evolutionary processes that trickle up to ....us.

Wotta concept.

Thank you soficrow.

The trickle up effect. I wonder what Reagan would think?

reply to post by soficrow


zomg you mean there was no evidence, only speculation, because nobody was looking!:shk:

"you are what you eat" looks like there is science to prove it.

hopefully this is a permanent, albeit small victory against

The Church of the Poisoned Mind aka The Sowers of Tares

and isn't buried.

BTS has a related thread i'll be posting a link to yours there

Researchers Prove GMO Foods Alter Organ Function: A Very Real Health Threat To Humans www.abovetopsecret.com...&addstar=1&on=13579088#pid13579088

F&S as always