Chapter 2
Are random mutations good? Newsflash – information.
Random
mutations
consistently
destroy
The subject of mutation in the human genome should be approached with sensitivity, because people matter - and people are hurt by mutation. The number of families affected by birth defects is tragically high - so this is not just a matter of “statistics”. Genetic disease, in its broadest sense, is catastrophic. If we include all genetic predispositions to all pathologies, we must conclude that we are all highly “mutant”. Furthermore, nearly every family is impacted by the tragedy of cancer - which is fundamentally the result of mutations within our body cells. Indeed, growing evidence indicates that aging itself is due to the accumulation of mutations within our body cells. Mutations are the source of immeasurable heartache - in fact they are inexorably killing each one of us. So mutations are more than just an academic concern! Can we say mutations are good? Nearly all health policies are aimed at reducing or minimizing mutation. Most personal health regimes are aimed at reducing mutations, to reduce risk of cancer and other degenerative diseases. How can anyone see mutation as good? Yet according to the Primary Axiom, mutations are good because they create the variation and diversity which allows selection and evolution to occur, creating the information needed for life.