>> ^thinker247:
Just imagine if fruit fly research could one day cure Down Syndrome? She'd be all over that shit.


Great and obvious call

just imagine if fruit fly research proved the existence of noah's ark.

Just imagine if fruit fly research could one day cure Down Syndrome? She'd be all over that shit.

Tags for this video have been changed from 'fruit flies' to 'fruit flies, autism, research, unc' - edited by xxovercastxx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drosophila_melanogaster#Similarity_to_humans

About 75% of known human disease genes have a recognizable match in the genetic code of fruit flies (Reiter et al (2001) Genome Research: 11(6):1114-25), and 50% of fly protein sequences have mammalian analogues. An online database called Homophila [1] is available to search for human disease gene homologues in flies and vice versa. Drosophila is being used as a genetic model for several human diseases including the neurodegenerative disorders Parkinson's, Huntington's, spinocerebellar ataxia and Alzheimer's disease. The fly is also being used to study mechanisms underlying aging and oxidative stress, immunity, diabetes, and cancer, as well as drug abuse.

Olberman shows Palin's clip here:
http://www.videosift.com/video/Countdown-Palins-Anti-Science-Mindlessness

Biologist PZ Meyers, responds:

Some of the most powerful tools in genetics and molecular biology are available in fruit flies, and these are animals that are particularly amenable to experimentation. Molecular genetics has revealed that humans share key molecules, the basic developmental toolkit, with all other animals, thanks to our shared evolutionary heritage (something else the wackaloon from Wasilla denies)...

This is where the Republican party has ended up: supporting an ignorant buffoon who believes in the End Times and speaking in tongues while deriding some of the best and most successful strategies for scientific research. In this next election, we've got to choose between the 21st century rationalism and Dark Age inanity.

Tags for this video have been changed from 'hitchens, palin, religion, science, genetics' to 'hitchens, palin, religion, science, genetics, fruit fly, autism, terry holt, larry king' - edited by burdturgler

This is great. Terry Holt calling the fruit fly thing "unconsequential". And is he arguing that science is a belief?
Let's put all of Palin's belief's aside. What does it say of their ability to organize and administrate when their speech writers are able to make such incredible blunders. No one catches it! They just let her go out there and say the craziest shit.

Criticizing research for autism. You can't make this shit up.

Is it just me or does it look like earth is being invaded by an amarda of Fruit Flies....

They are a "fruity" bunch....
Well if it does it to a fruit fly, of course it's gonna do that to US.
Maybe that's why they have "gay bars"! yuk,yuk,yuk....

These beguiling little jewels use tentacles with an adhesive "dew" to ensnare small insects such as gnats, fruit flies, and sometimes mosquitoes! Sundews glitter with often ruby-red hues and make it worth getting on your knees for a closer look. Some are winter hardy, others are tropical. Hundreds of species exist in many countries. Most are easy to grow and the tropical ones are fun terrarium subjects. The outdoor types can form enchanting, glistening carpets in the bog garden.

The negative coments on the video don't address what the guy says, just parrot party line.

Thousands of generations of fruit flies have been deliberately bred, selecting for characteristics. But nothing other than a fruit fly results.

Thousands of years of forced, selected dog breeding, and all you get are dogs.

Drug resistant bacteria are the same bacteria with better defenses, but biologically the same.

The evolution of one species into another has NEVER been observed. The origin of life from non-life has NEVER been observed. If Darwin was right, everything should be in the process of transitioning to something else as a result of environmental pressures.

That's what the video is pointing out.

Darwin was wrong wrong wrong. Those of you parroting party line and stupidity vs. smart (of course you being smart for believing the party line) need to look around. You're on the same side of history as flat-earthers.

The reason you believe Darwin's 19th century understanding of biology despite the evidence of all of reality, is that the alternative means you are a designed thing, thus accountable to a designer. Even the aburdity of Darwinian evolution seems preferable to THAT ...

I think that would be the best way to prevent fruit fly infestations, fastfret79.