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Fb2 Virolution ePub

by Frank Ryan

Category:	Biological Sciences
Subcategory:	Science books
Author:	Frank Ryan
ISBN:	0007315120
ISBN13:	978-0007315123
Language:	English
Publisher:	Collins; First Printing edition (June 25, 2009)
Pages:	400
Fb2 eBook:	1875 kb
ePub eBook:	1444 kb
Digital formats:	txt doc docx lit

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In my opinion, Frank Ryan’s ‘Virolution’ does exactly what a popular science book should. Essentially, it explains the evidence for the role of viruses in the evolution of all species.

In my opinion, Frank Ryan’s ‘Virolution’ does exactly what a popular science book should. As a non-scientist reading this, I cannot speak for the accuracy of the content, but I gave a brief précis of it people with varying levels of interest and expertise, and they all said something to the effect of: ‘well In my opinion, Frank Ryan’s ‘Virolution’ does exactly what a popular science book should.

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The most important evolutionary book since Dawkins’ Selfish Gene. Frank Ryan asserts his moral right to be identified. as the author of this work. William Collins An imprint of ers 1 London Bridge Street London SE1 9GF. First published by Collins 2009.

The extraordinary role of viruses in evolution and how this is revolutionising biology and medicine.

Read Virolution, by Frank Ryan online on Bookmate – The extraordinary role of viruses in evolution and how this is revolutionising biology and medicine. The extraordinary role of viruses in evolution and how this is revolutionising biology and medicine.

Although less common in Asian and African populations – for example, the incidence in US-born Caucasian children is the same as in the UK, while the incidence in Asian Americans is roughly one in 30,000 – the disease is actually global in its distribution, affecting boys and girls with equal frequency.

Read unlimited books and audiobooks on the web, iPad, iPhone and Android. As scientists begin to look for evidence of viral involvement in more and more processes, they have discovered that they are vital in nearly every case.

As scientists begin to look for evidence of viral involvement in more and more processes, they have discovered that they are vital in nearly every case. And with this understanding comes the possibility of manipulating the role of the viruses to help fight a huge range of diseases.

The extraordinary role of viruses in evolution and how this is revolutionising biology and medicine.

Darwin's theory of evolution is still the greatest breakthrough in biological science. His explanation of the role of natural selection in driving the evolution of life on earth depended on steady variation of living things over time – but he was unable to explain how this variation occurred. In the 150 years since publication of the Origin of Species, we have discovered three main sources for this variation – mutation, hybridisation and epigenetics. Then on Sunday, 12th February, 2001 the evidence for perhaps the most extraordinary cause of variation was simultaneously released by two organisations – the code for the entire human genome. Not only was the human genome unbelievably simple (it is only ten times more complicated than a bacteria), but embedded in the code were large fragments that were derived from viruses – fragments that were vital to evolution of all organisms and the evidence for a fourth and vital source of variation – viruses.

Virolution is the product of Dr Frank Ryan's decade of research at the frontiers of this new science – now called viral symbiosis – and the amazing revolution that it has had in these few years. As scientists begin to look for evidence of viral involvement in more and more processes, they have discovered that they are vital in nearly every case. And with this understanding comes the possibility of manipulating the role of the viruses to help fight a huge range of diseases.

Comments to eBook Virolution

Whitegrove

I rated this book five stars because it added new dimensions to models of evolution that are paradigm making and astonishing. It states that the forces of evolution go well beyond neo-Darwinism. Evolutionary drivers now include: mutation (traditional neo-Darwinism), genetic symbiogenesis, hybridogenesis, and epigenetics. Ryan shows that traditional neo-Darwinism is not sufficient in explaining how all the variation we observe in nature came about. Ryan's thesis is well supported by his research and that of others and it is empirically based. He is finding global support as well.

One of the more interesting subjects covered in the text shows that viruses have played a significant role in evolution. Large segments of viral genes have been found in human (and other) genome code fragments; viruses will co-evolve with their host under certain situations rather than destroy them. This co-evolution symbiosis has historically contributed to the selection process and enhanced the survival of both the host and viruses and added creative variation to the gene pool of all life forms. Part of our gene structure is due to viruses intrusion and subsequent symbiosis and are inheritable.

This book is a fascinating read but the material can be a rough read without a college level course in introductory biology or some medical training such as an RN, but a highly motivated or scientifically minded individual can understand what is being said. Well worth the read.

Rich

Hiclerlsi

I read Nick Long's books about the origin of life and the production of energy earlier and I was left wondering what role to viruses play in the big scheme of things. I was even curious enough to rent a virology text book to learn about viruses, but it didn't explain the end game for viruses. Virolution points out that 43% of our human genome came from the genetic material in retroviruses. Amazing! Just like the mice controlling everything in "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" viruses have a role that is considerably bigger than their minute size. For anyone who is interested in figuring out what is going on this book is a must.

Marilbine

this book is so fascinating i read it twice, back to back. will read it again. viruses are so involved in evolution it just capyures the mind!!!

Sagda

A fascinating overview of the virus world. Truly a must read to understand the implications of evolution and our potential. Reading studies will not give you the same information. The author's insights really make the whole difference. I hope his next book will be released soon.

Yar

This book adds a startling and insightful tool to evolution's bag of tricks. It's very well written and Ryan tells a great story.

The "20th century" conception of evolution is (was): It's driven by random mutations and natural selection, and natural selection has the effect of making genes *appear* to be selfish. The last 50 years of research have shown that far from being random, these mutations are systematic, driven by processes like transposition, symbiogenesis and horizontal gene transfer.

Virolution adds the systematic behavior of viruses to the mix, showing how they then become symbiotic: That rather than a "host/parasite" relationship, and rather than being purely destructive, organisms use the viruses just as much as the viruses use the organisms. Ryan explains how major organelles (such as a component of the mammalian placenta) evolved in similar fashion - but separately, all of them co-opting code from viruses.

He shows how the assumption that endogenous retroviruses were so much evolutionary garbage, i.e. "Junk DNA", caused us to overlook major insights that have critical importance to the study of disease.

Virolution adds considerable heft to the theory of symbiogenesis, extending it to a whole new realm. I've read over 100 books on evolution and this one's on my top 10 list. My other faves include Shapiro's "Evolution: a View from the 21st Century," "Acquiring Genomes" by Margulis, "In the Beginning was Information" by Gitt, "The Great Evolution Mystery" by Taylor, "Information Theory, Evolution and the Origin of Life" by Yockey, "A Feeling for the Organism" by Keller, and "Altenberg 16" by Mazur.

This book is a major contribution and despite the cover, it doesn't even be deserved to be compared to Dawkins' selfish gene because frankly Dawkins is overrated, being neither as good of a scientist nor as intellectually honest as Ryan. This book illustrates the fact that unabashed, real-world biology is like the TV Series "24": You can never quite imagine what strange twist is coming around the next corner.

Gold as Heart

Well written and certainly timely! The climate change that the planet is enduring has brought viruses to the forefront of both health and media attention. I do not hesitate to advise people to get access to this book.

Iriar

This book gives a clear explanation of the significance of viruses in the evolution of higher level organisms, including humans. I was written by someone who was working in the trenches and contributing to the advances while the discoveries were being made, so it contains personal stories and experiences about the subject being discussed. I really enjoyed the book.

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