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Defending information-free genocentrism.

Alex Rosenberg1

  • 1Center for Philosophy of Biology, Duke University, Box 90743, 201 West Duke Building, Durham, NC 27708, USA.

History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences
|August 11, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Genocentrism proposes genes uniquely cause development, but this study argues their power lies in programming embryos, not inherent information. This genome programming capability, akin to computing NP-hard problems, redefines gene function in biological development.

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Philosophy of Science
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The 'genocentrism' thesis posits genes have a special causal role in development.
  • This is often contrasted with the 'causal democracy thesis,' where all developmental causes are considered equal.
  • Genocentrists previously argued genes' informational content enables embryo programming.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-evaluate the special causal role of the genome in embryonic development.
  • To challenge the notion that genes possess unique informational content for programming.
  • To propose an alternative basis for the genome's programming power.

Main Methods:

  • Philosophical analysis of genocentrism and causal democracy.
  • Examination of the concept of 'information' in biological and computational contexts.
  • Analogy drawn between polynucleotide sequences and computational problem-solving.

Main Results:

  • The genome's special causal role does not stem from inherent informational content.
  • Genes lack intrinsic information; their meaning is context-dependent, similar to computer programs.
  • The genome's power lies in its literal ability to program the embryo, analogous to computing solutions.

Conclusions:

  • The genome's capacity to program development is its key distinguishing feature.
  • This programming ability is comparable to using polynucleotide sequences for complex computations.
  • A revised understanding of genocentrism should focus on the genome's functional programming power.

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