Hi Sheri,
I am currently pursuing a phD in bioinformatics, the statistical analysis of gene expression, in cancer on the cellular levels.
My course studies have been centered around all aspects of biology however, especially evolution and molecular genetics.

The problem with the Gaia Hypothesis is that not only if it was true, it would mean that all of Biology is wrong, but most of the statements regarded as proof are nothing more than a metaphorical explanation in a teleological sense. One can make the assumption that we once thought the Earth was flat and that cigarettes won't harm us, but these are seemingly isolated and specific occurrences that happened early in scientific thought. The development of physics disproved the flat earth, and the development of Biology and chemical research has allowed us to see the harmful effects of cigarettes.

Nothing in Biology makes sense, except in terms of evolution. It is impossible for altruism on a global scale to exist. It would require planning by all organisms, and organisms don't plan for this. This is why evolution by natural selection is true and why organisms can't work in concert, on a global scale.

Cimber, this statement bothers me. Why would it mean everything we know about biology is wrong? Wouldn't it just mean that there are areas of biology that we don't understand as well as we thought?

Because people tend to separate evolutionary biology away from other fields of biology. In fact, all biology is evolutionary biology.

This is particularly evident in medicine and the study of infectious diseases. You simply can't explain the occurrence of antibiotic resistance without understanding evolution. Cancer is also inevitable due to evolution and the imperfect human physiology. These are well studied and well established happenings.

its a living system it supports life.. it can sustain life it is life producing...I am not being rude this is new for alot of us..since global warming many of the things i had been taught are in error or based in a limited understanding......, i am fortunate to be involved in a program and do volunteer work to re learn the ecosystem...its no longer referred to as survival of the fittest its called cooperatiion amougnst life forms... we once thought the earth was flat and cigarettes won't harm or kill you and now that many of our ideas on the system have been based in evolution's origin of the species and survival of the fittest...i would recommend studiying the biomes( to get a quick overview) it gives a very clear picture or vist your local nature center it does an incredible job of helping ot understand life in a deeper way.. this si now how science will be taught much is changing.... i was really sahring information not rassing ya i loves ya source....and respond as your posts are interesting and articulate...

if i get a chance I''ll post some stuff from my curricula later today and some of the lectures i have taken...............did you see an inconvenient truth .. the problem I see a lot on here is: many use incremental and category as a framework this is very limiting..... instead of seeing the inter connectedness of all systems, all ideas they are all interrelated one supports the other... but many filter through a separatist framework...or an either or....

I didn't take any offense Sheri. I was simply trying to clear up my earlier, somewhat vague posts regarding my position on the subject.

Also, since it's been more than a couple years that I read anything on the subject, I'm taking your advice and will look up what I can find.

Regarding An Inconvenient Truth, I've been avoiding that based on all the negative arguments against it. Now, I finally have a reason to watch it.

I guess it's time this old man does a little catch up.

this is one of those woman things, secret code for something, im gonna have to read the bible to figure this one out

Evolution's new wrinkle: Proteins with cruise control provide new perspective
Posted November 10, 2008; 10:00 a.m.

by Kitta MacPherson

A team of Princeton University scientists has discovered that chains of proteins found in most living organisms act like adaptive machines, possessing the ability to control their own evolution.

The research, which appears to offer evidence of a hidden mechanism guiding the way biological organisms respond to the forces of natural selection, provides a new perspective on evolution, the scientists said.