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I read something recently which was something of an epiphany. (Can't seem to find it, unfortunately). The idea was that humans and other animals incorporate som
by etiam 7y ago
I read something recently which was something of an epiphany. (Can't seem to find it, unfortunately).
The idea was that humans and other animals incorporate some viral genes and produce the protein (and/or RNA I guess), and it's adaptive to do so because it gives something useful to develop antibodies against. Elegant, and kind of suggestive for all those retrovirus residues lying around in our genomes, among other things.
- codekilla 7y agoThe book ‘Virolution’ details this.
- sarrgent 7y agoCould you or anyone else recommend a book on the topic of viruses? Not a textbook but something informational and somewhat in depth for a lay person?
- codekilla 7y agoI can't think of anything that is not a textbook. That said, I would recommend[0]. You will encounter a lot of vocabulary, just use Wikipedia and look on YouTube for animations/explanations etc. I think this will give you the most bang for your buck. [0] https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780123737410/viruses-and-human-disease https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780123737410/viruses-and... Edit: https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Viruses-Second-Carl-Zimmer/dp/022629420X/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=viruses+and+human+disease&qid=1585073817&s=books&sr=1-2 https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Viruses-Second-Carl-Zimmer/dp/... might be good, haven't read it though
- carapace 7y agoSeconded: "A Planet of Viruses" https://carlzimmer.com/books/a-planet-of-viruses/ https://carlzimmer.com/books/a-planet-of-viruses/ I've read it and (excuse me) it's fucking fanstastic! Short and sweet, and mind-blowing on every page.
- etiam 7y agoNoted. Thanks! It would be nice to delve deeper in that idea.