Evolution

[Doggy Styles]

Can an individual organism evolve, i.e. aside from reproduction?

[thunderlizard]

In the sense of "have a genetic mutation mid-life" - yes. Cancer is an example of that.

[gingerjedi]

In the sense of "have a genetic mutation mid-life" - yes. Cancer is an example of that.

Can you explain how this happens and what triggers it?

[doodab]

What do you mean by "evolve"?

[SupremeSpod]

What do you mean by "evolve"?

Will sasguru evolve into a useful member of society or will he always be a clueless fuqwit?

[Gibbon]

In the sense of "have a genetic mutation mid-life" - yes. Cancer is an example of that.

But that's not evolution as you don't pass the cancer on, i.e. your sperm doesn't get created with the cancerous dna.

Older males actually cause most change as their dna replication is not as good as when younger so a higher chance of a mutation at conception. This is not the case with women though whose eggs are formed at birth.

Philosophically speaking cancer is a strange thing. It's own success brings on it's own demise and therefore brings into question what is life about,. (not in the 7 characteristics explanation). Cancer seems to show that we are a collection of co-operating cells but in an accidental way where each cell is 'selfish'.

[thunderlizard]

But that's not evolution as you don't pass the cancer on, i.e. your sperm doesn't get created with the cancerous dna.

Quite right - really this was a case of "the answer to the question is mainly no, but can I think of a way to make it yes..?"

gingergedi - of course - I was about to publish my cancer cure, but then I got offered a contract for £300/day 10 minutes from home and the rest is history. You'll have to try the OncologistUK forum instead.

[DaveB]

But that's not evolution as you don't pass the cancer on, i.e. your sperm doesn't get created with the cancerous dna.

Older males actually cause most change as their dna replication is not as good as when younger so a higher chance of a mutation at conception. This is not the case with women though whose eggs are formed at birth.

Philosophically speaking cancer is a strange thing. It's own success brings on it's own demise and therefore brings into question what is life about,. (not in the 7 characteristics explanation). Cancer seems to show that we are a collection of co-operating cells but in an accidental way where each cell is 'selfish'.

Cancer does not have success or failure criteria, it is not an organism in it's own right. It is a malfunction of part of the existing organism brought about by genetic predisposition or external influences. It is more akin to rust on a car that consumes the bodywork and eventually leads to it's destruction than a conventional illness caused by virus or bacteria that, while it may cause a disease fatal to it's host, gets to replicate and distribute itself to other hosts in the process.

[sasguru]

Will sasguru evolve into a useful member of society or will he always be a clueless fuqwit?

Many generations from now, your offspring may evolve to be as intelligent, good looking and generally brilliant as moi.
But I wouldn't count on it.

[Spacecadet]

Can an individual organism evolve, i.e. aside from reproduction?

Your stomach flora (which could be argued is part of you as a whole organism) might well evolve to cope with your diet