Dear Earthlings:
Adam Kocurek:
A Book Report on Acquiring Genomes: A Theory of the Origins of the Species
by Lynn Margulis and Dorion Sagan
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“Acquiring Genomes”, by Lynn Margulis and Dorion Sagan, was a
fascinating, if not at times a technically perplexing, polemical piece of
scientific literature. I would expect nothing less from the authors of “Mystery Dance” and “Symbiotic Planet”; however, this book takes concepts discussed in
each book, notably microbial significance, evolution, and Gaia Theory, and
deeply expands upon their chief principles and misconceptions.
Margulis and Sagan make many provocative arguments
throughout the book. One of the main points articulated in “Acquiring Genomes” is that evolution is
so much more about symbiosis between organisms than competition, and that new
species form through symbiogenesis, the merging of two separate organisms into
one new organism, rather than propagation of random mutation, an exaggerated
and rare factor. The book clearly states that natural selection cannot create,
only perpetuate, and that mutations tend to lead to “sickness, death, and
deficiencies” rather than a desirable modification; “mutation accumulation does
not lead to new species or even to new organs and tissues”. The authors note
that all organisms, not just bacteria, evolve through symbiogenesis, and
provide many examples, some of which including cows, termites, lichen, glow-in-the-dark
squid, and humans. I had known that there are more bacteria cells than human
cells in our body, but I did not fully grasp the extent to which we,
individually, are an ecosystem, a world harboring millions of organism which
are as crucial to our survival as we are to theirs.
To
better understand symbiogenesis and symbiosis, “Acquiring Genomes” takes a close look at bacteria, the common ancestor
of all life on earth, which evolve, adapt, and develop by literally borrowing
genomes from each other in a promiscuous frenzy, as they have done since time
immemorial. Association leads to partnership, which leads to symbiosis, which
leads to new organisms through symbiogenesis. This “acquiring of genomes”,
Margulis and Sagan argue, is how life moved from the primordial stew of early
Earth and became what it is today, all the while altering the very Earth
itself.
With the appearance of ancient anoxic, photosynthesizing
bacteria, the Earth transformed from a barren, nitrogen-rich wasteland into the
Earth we recognize today. The oxygen-rich atmosphere, oceans, and a protective
ozone layer are some of the most notable side effects of life. Even soil would
not exist if it were not for intense biological activity; indeed, many
sedimentary rocks even contain the fossilized remains of flora, fauna, and
microbes that have been extinct for many million years. The Earth that we know
now is teeming with life and, as Margulis and Sagan put it, is intrinsically
very similar to an organism itself. The biosphere, Gaia, is a self-regulating
system which, the authors argue, is the natural selector, keeping unchecked
populations from over expanding and, through homeodynamics, keeps relative
order and stability in the biota by not allowing large ‘gradients’ or ‘vacuums’
to occur using symbiosis, specialization, and ultimately evolution. Putting it
plainly, there is an evident continuity between biology and physics in the biota;
nature builds structures to reduce discrepancies. Gaia, as the natural
selector, determines whether or not any beings live to reproduce, and the
concept of ‘the individual’ is a myth. This way of thought is groundbreaking
and remarkably fresh, unlike the dogma that has existed for centuries.
Another point that was made which I believe is
tremendously important is that evolution happens relatively quickly. This goes
against what Darwin and other great names said, that evolution is painfully
slow and impossible to perceive on our time scale. Margulis and Sagan make the
point that such ‘transitional’ beings are not neatly found in the fossil
record, and that symbiogenesis can occur quickly, especially under duress, as
seen in commonly in bacteria. Both suggest that the old understanding of
evolution is, if not wrong, fragmented.
Margulis and Dorion also call to attention the turmoil
within the scientific community that is not only hindering progression in all
fields, but leads people to wrongly think that they understand evolution. Discrimination
between scientific disciplines, as well as the isolation of different, yet
intrinsically related fields of study like zoology, microbiology, and botany has
led to a collective ignorance within the scientific world. For example, most
evolutionary biologists tend to disregard microbes’ importance in evolution,
focusing mainly on animals, particularly mammals, which constitute only one
tenth of a million of all species living today, a minority among life. Most
Evolutionary Biologists also use antiquated terms like “higher organism” and
“mate competition” which are misleading and, the authors argue, should be
abandoned. As an Evolutionary Biology/Ecology major, I found this conviction to
be especially important and relevant. I plan to be aware of these points while
reading scientific literature in the future.
Reading this book in an ecosexual mindset was not a
difficult task. The emphasis on Gaia theory and interconnectedness between the
Earth and all of its life seemed as if it could come straight from an
Ecosexuality bible. Evolution is ultimately a science of connections, of give
and take in order to survive and prosper. Indeed, the ecosexual mindset is
beautifully congruent, if not identical, to the ‘mindset’ of bacteria and Gaia
evolution. Now, more than ever, I see the Ecosexuality movement not as a
radical strain of liberal thought (not that there is anything wrong with
radical strains of liberal thought) but as a reversion to our true, natural
selves, in harmony with nature. As beasts, essentially hairless primates, we
are, at the core, no different to Gaia than bacteria, protists, fungi, plants,
or the other animals. We are no more highly evolved, nor are we more
significant. Margulis and Sagan make it clear that, in order for us to continue
to function in the world we live in, we must get off our arrogant pedestal and
work symbiotically with the world, which is something that I and Ecosexuality
agree with.
Adam Kocurek
Published with permission
Published with permission
WGSS 3998 - Ecosexuality and the Ecology of Love
Prof. Serena Anderlini-D'Onofrio
U Conn, Storrs, Spring 2013
Dear Earthlings:
Let "nature" be your teacher in the arts of love. Education is the heart of democracy, education to love. Come back for more wonders: Book Reports to appear every other Thursday. Book Reports to be scheduled soon. Check out our summer offerings: Ecosexuality in Portland, OR, July 17-21. Registration here!
Namaste,
Serena Anderlini-D'Onofrio, PhD
Gilf Gaia Extraordinaire
University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
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