By VENTON
Added: Wed, 09 Jun 2010 08:00:06 UTC

DNA is a purely digital recipe on how to build a body, encoded in every cell.

Human beings grow from a single egg.

When we are born the end result is more than a body, it is a being with instincts and abilities. So logically, instincts and behaviour must somehow be encoded in the DNA of a the original single cell.

Is it possible the 'garbage' in DNA is actually some kind of digital computer code for the brain, ie programs for behaviour and instinct? How else could these abilities get there?

Yes. parents teach offspring abilities, but if you think it through creatures do have inbuilt behaviours.

Here are a few human 'programs' that are not taught:

Anger, lust, protection of offspring, empathy, fear ,jealousy, joy, walking, speech recognition.... And for birds, flight.

I expect this isn't a novel idea, but I have only really read Richard Dawkins on embryology and haven't come across the idea before.

Presumably mutations in the digital programs would be subject to natural selection, as are physical manifestations.

Interested in hearing others opinions on this.

TAGGED: BEHAVIOR, EVOLUTION, GENETICS, SCIENCE