Clear up a misconception for me -- DNA

[Tinker Grey]

So, there are lots of conspiracy theories that this or that medication will alter your DNA.

Supposing this is possible, what's the big deal? Aside from problems with potential procreation, what would it do? Does DNA regulate active behavior of cells or is it there to control replication?

If you changed or even removed the DNA of every cell in my body, I'd still be me, right?

It occurs to me as I type this that our cells do replace themselves so there could be potential issues.

School me, please.

 

[Hans Blaster]

So, there are lots of conspiracy theories that this or that medication will alter your DNA.

Supposing this is possible, what's the big deal? Aside from problems with potential procreation, what would it do? Does DNA regulate active behavior of cells or is it there to control replication?

If you changed or even removed the DNA of every cell in my body, I'd still be me, right?

It occurs to me as I type this that our cells do replace themselves so there could be potential issues.

School me, please.

The vaccines are mRNA vaccines, IIRC. mRNA is the kind of RNA that is copied from the nuclear DNA and then taken to ribosomes to be translated into proteins. I think the idea is that these mRNA snippets will be taken up inside cells and then used to create the virus's spike proteins. The immune system then recognizes the spike proteins your cells just made as foreign invaders and responds. (This seems to be just a fancy version of the "killed virus" vaccines where broken/dead viruses are injected and the immune system reacts.)

This response creates an immunity to further invasion of the spike proteins and would defeat any incoming virus. (Caution, I didn't look anything up and I'm not an expert.)

I don't think mRNA can be back translated to DNA and transmitted to cells after mitosis. There are RNA based viruses that use "reverse transcriptase" to convert their RNA package to DNA before they hijack the cells internal mechanisms, but I'm not aware of mRNA being back translatable.

 

[Pavel Mosko]

Well I'm not big on this topic. It's not something I worry about or discuss etc. And I don't even care that much as far as medication goes. I actually am more familiar with worries on this when it comes to things like people worring about the future of bioengineering food and other kinds of genetic manipulation.

From a stand point of mutation it is worrisome because most mutations are harmful. Mathematically the ration is at least a million to 1 when it come to positive vs. negative mutations. I actually think it much, much worse than that, like 100 to 1000 time worse. Because when it comes to theistic arguments against evolution it comes up. Mutation as a mechanism of natural selection etc. seems to benefit lower life forms from certain insects like ants, all the way down to bacteria, viruses etc. Because they exist in such large numbers that negative mutation things is OK as far as not killing off or damaging the species as a whole. With higher life forms the negative mutations are prevalent that it is very difficult to get a benefit from it as a long term mechanism.


And of course you also get to things like cancer. Cancer comes from some kind of genetic corruption etc. So things that change the DNA would potentially to that or maybe some other related problem or issue.

 

[Strathos]

So, there are lots of conspiracy theories that this or that medication will alter your DNA.

Supposing this is possible, what's the big deal? Aside from problems with potential procreation, what would it do? Does DNA regulate active behavior of cells or is it there to control replication?

If you changed or even removed the DNA of every cell in my body, I'd still be me, right?

It occurs to me as I type this that our cells do replace themselves so there could be potential issues.

School me, please.

Well if everyone's DNA was changed, then all of their offspring would be affected, for one thing. Say that someone created a bioweapon that would change everyone's DNA to give them a higher chance of getting cancer. It might affect the next generation a lot more than the current generation.

 

[Tinker Grey]

Well if everyone's DNA was changed, then all of their offspring would be affected, for one thing. Say that someone created a bioweapon that would change everyone's DNA to give them a higher chance of getting cancer. It might affect the next generation a lot more than the current generation.

The cancer thing is a good point. I specified reproduction issues in the OP. But would it change me? Would I suddenly become gregarious? Could it change my cognitive functions?

 

[Tinker Grey]

The vaccines are mRNA vaccines, IIRC. mRNA is the kind of RNA that is copied from the nuclear DNA and then taken to ribosomes to be translated into proteins. I think the idea is that these mRNA snippets will be taken up inside cells and then used to create the virus's spike proteins. The immune system then recognizes the spike proteins your cells just made as foreign invaders and responds. (This seems to be just a fancy version of the "killed virus" vaccines where broken/dead viruses are injected and the immune system reacts.)

This response creates an immunity to further invasion of the spike proteins and would defeat any incoming virus. (Caution, I didn't look anything up and I'm not an expert.)

I don't think mRNA can be back translated to DNA and transmitted to cells after mitosis. There are RNA based viruses that use "reverse transcriptase" to convert their RNA package to DNA before they hijack the cells internal mechanisms, but I'm not aware of mRNA being back translatable.

That's good to know. But I'm wondering about the effects of "re-writing" my DNA.

 

[Hans Blaster]

That's good to know. But I'm wondering about the effects of "re-writing" my DNA.

If I got things right in my post, then there is no reverse transcription of mRNA to DNA so your DNA is unaffected.

 

[Tinker Grey]

If I got things right in my post, then there is no reverse transcription of mRNA to DNA so your DNA is unaffected.

Right. But, there is a conspiracy theory that somehow they could rewrite our DNA (I image, in theory, they could inject a CRISPR type thing, but whatever ...)

So my question is, If it were possible, what could they do to me beside make me susceptible to cancer and cause birth defects? Could they re-wire my cognitive abilities?

 

[Tinker Grey]

I guess another way to put it: What function does DNA have for day-to-day living?

 

[sesquiterpene]

Does DNA regulate active behavior of cells or is it there to control replication?

If you changed or even removed the DNA of every cell in my body, I'd still be me, right?

I don't have much time right now, but yes DNA does regulate active behavior of cells, and if you removed it completely you'd very shortly die.

 

[sesquiterpene]

I guess another way to put it: What function does DNA have for day-to-day living?

DNA contains the info for all the proteins and enzymes, etc. in your cells. These proteins only last for a short time before they need to be replenished. Also, there a zillion feedback mechanisms governing how much protein is made, and when. Plus, you couldn't make any new cells if you didn't have any DNA.

 

[Tinker Grey]

I don't have much time right now, but yes DNA does regulate active behavior of cells, and if you removed it completely you'd very shortly die.

Ah. Now, we are getting there.

 

[Hazelelponi]

So, there are lots of conspiracy theories that this or that medication will alter your DNA.

Supposing this is possible, what's the big deal? Aside from problems with potential procreation, what would it do? Does DNA regulate active behavior of cells or is it there to control replication?

If you changed or even removed the DNA of every cell in my body, I'd still be me, right?

It occurs to me as I type this that our cells do replace themselves so there could be potential issues.

School me, please.

The answer is going to reside in whether you believe in behavioural genetics or to what extent you believe in that science (as yet inexact but gaining in popularity, most especially in the court system).

 

[Tinker Grey]

The answer is going to reside in whether you believe in behavioural genetics or to what extent you believe in that science (as yet inexact but gaining in popularity, most especially in the court system).

With all due respect, the answer will have nothing to with what I believe. There are a number of knowledgeable types here that I suspect can answer my question adequately. E.g., if it were possible to impair all my DNA, it could kill me.

The open question is could modifying DNA in cells in the brain alter one's cognitive abilities, etc.

 

[Hazelelponi]

The open question is could modifying DNA in cells in the brain alter one's cognitive abilities, etc.

Most people believe it could to at least some extent, that is, if it would be possible to begin with to modify DNA in post-developmental stages.

But that's the main hypothetical here. Not whether DNA could potentially affect cognitive abilities.

 

[Tinker Grey]

Most people believe it could to at least some extent, that is, if it would be possible to begin with to modify DNA in post-developmental stages.

But that's the main hypothetical here. Not whether DNA could potentially affect cognitive abilities.

I'm not sure what you are saying. Could you rephrase?

 

[Hazelelponi]

I'm not sure what you are saying. Could you rephrase?

The hypothetical your posing is likely impossible in adults.

Most people believe DNA can influence behavior to lesser or greater extent. Epigenetics most especially (which don't alter DNA but do tag how genes are expressed) Epigenetics | Epigenetic Embedding of Early Adversity and Developmental Risk | Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development

But can an adult with DNA be modified in any appreciable way? I'd say that's impossible, even at the epigenetic level.

If it's possible, it would entail far more than a simple vaccine to accomplish.

 

[sesquiterpene]

But can an adult with DNA be modified in any appreciable way? I'd say that's impossible, even at the epigenetic level.

HIV would beg to differ from you. Pretty much any cancer, too.

 

[inquiring mind]

The open question is could modifying DNA in cells in the brain alter one's cognitive abilities, etc.

Yes... cognitive abilities can even be altered without modifying DNA.

 

[Hazelelponi]

HIV would beg to differ from you. Pretty much any cancer, too.

Yet the topic is about behavioral changes, not disease. Certainly repeat exposure or severe exposure to viruses or other things that can cause change on the cellular level that can create disease... but that won't create behavioral changes.

Your the same person post cancer or with HIV that you were before, with exceptions for things like a deeper appreciation for life, a greater or lesser belief in God due to the experience - but it won't affect behavior post developmentally.