Nice to see phenotype being discussed. Seems all too often that phenotype is
confused with genotype. That first lesson in genetics is such a yawn that
the definitions get forgotten. Seems to me that variations in diet and
exercise contribute more to variability of phenotype than do variations in
genotype. I must be careful I might be burnt at stake for questioning the
supremacy of the gene, it's a bit like questioning motherhood. We've had 50
years of Watson and Crick and nothing much to show for it*, just a big black
hole for research dollars, maybe we should cut our losses and redirect the
money to where we can make a difference.

*Just a few recombinant DNA products, parentage proofing, and a few helpful
diagnostic tests. Imagine how much more good would have been done if that
money had been directed into bringing folic acid supplements in pregnancy 10
years earlier, or providing vitamin A for the 3rd world, or more iodine for
the 1st world. The gene is important, but it's not going to help us change
individual phenotypes very much, only diet and exercise and a few other
things will do that.

By the way, it's poor netiquette to reply to a digest without extracting the
relevant header Re:EVOLUTIONARY-FITNESS Digest - 6 Jun is a bit lazy, should
have been Re: BBC's Walking with Cavemen - episode 1.

Did Winston cover iodine? Securing a source of iodine is difficult even on a
Paleo diet (unless one eats the thyroid gland- did the do that? I can't find
the iodine content of brain, does anyone know if it's high). Iodine is very
pertinent to male and female infertility but I've never known a fertility
consultant to check iodine status.

Ben Balzer

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Evolutionary Fitness Discussion List
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of D. Tweed
> Sent: Sunday, 8 June 2003 9:10 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [EVOLUTIONARY-FITNESS] EVOLUTIONARY-FITNESS Digest - 6 Jun
> 2003 to 7 Jun 2003 (#2003-46)
>
>
> On Sat, 7 Jun 2003, Automatic digest processor wrote:
>
> > Robert Winston is well known in the UK.He is infact Lord Winston being
> > elevated by the Blair Labour Government.He is also a Professor
> of Obstetrics
> > with a special interest  in Infertility.Just a little background.It is a
> > good series but I have also found it dumbing down but remember
> it is aimed
> > at a generalist audience.The special effects are excellent but
> gimmicky at
> > times.
>
>>

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