Origin of Group Identity

Viruses, Addiction and Cooperation

Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Medical, Medical Science, Microbiology, Science & Nature, Science, Biological Sciences, Evolution
Cover of the book Origin of Group Identity by Luis P. Villarreal, Springer US
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Luis P. Villarreal ISBN: 9780387779980
Publisher: Springer US Publication: December 10, 2008
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author: Luis P. Villarreal
ISBN: 9780387779980
Publisher: Springer US
Publication: December 10, 2008
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

A sense of belonging is basic to the human experience. But in this, humans are not unique. Essentially all life, from bacteria to humans, have ways by which it determines which members belong and which do not. This is a basic cooperative nature of life I call group membership which is examined in this book. However, cooperation of living things is not easily accounted for by current theory of evolutionary biology and yet even viruses display group membership. That viruses have this feature would likely seem coincidental or irrelevant to most scientist as having any possible relationship to human group identity. Surely such simple molecular-based relationships between viruses are unrelated to the complex cognitive and emotional nature of human group membership. Yet viruses clearly affect bacterial group membership, which are the most diverse and abundant cellular life form on Earth and from which all life has evolved. Viruses are the most ancient, numerous and adaptable biological entities we know. And we have long recognized them for the harm and disease they can cause, and they have been responsible for the greatest numbers of human deaths. However, with the sequencing of entire genomes and more recently with the shotgun sequencings of habitats, we have come to realize viruses are the black hole of biology; a giant force that has until recently been largely unseen and historically ignored by evolutionary biology. Viruses not only can cause acute disease, but also persist as stable unseen agents in their host.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

A sense of belonging is basic to the human experience. But in this, humans are not unique. Essentially all life, from bacteria to humans, have ways by which it determines which members belong and which do not. This is a basic cooperative nature of life I call group membership which is examined in this book. However, cooperation of living things is not easily accounted for by current theory of evolutionary biology and yet even viruses display group membership. That viruses have this feature would likely seem coincidental or irrelevant to most scientist as having any possible relationship to human group identity. Surely such simple molecular-based relationships between viruses are unrelated to the complex cognitive and emotional nature of human group membership. Yet viruses clearly affect bacterial group membership, which are the most diverse and abundant cellular life form on Earth and from which all life has evolved. Viruses are the most ancient, numerous and adaptable biological entities we know. And we have long recognized them for the harm and disease they can cause, and they have been responsible for the greatest numbers of human deaths. However, with the sequencing of entire genomes and more recently with the shotgun sequencings of habitats, we have come to realize viruses are the black hole of biology; a giant force that has until recently been largely unseen and historically ignored by evolutionary biology. Viruses not only can cause acute disease, but also persist as stable unseen agents in their host.

More books from Springer US

Cover of the book The Elms by Luis P. Villarreal
Cover of the book Current Societal Concerns about Justice by Luis P. Villarreal
Cover of the book Effect of Mineral-Organic-Microorganism Interactions on Soil and Freshwater Environments by Luis P. Villarreal
Cover of the book Infant and Early Childhood Neuropsychology by Luis P. Villarreal
Cover of the book NAFTA — Past, Present and Future by Luis P. Villarreal
Cover of the book Methods in Mammary Gland Biology and Breast Cancer Research by Luis P. Villarreal
Cover of the book Modern Concepts in Gastroenterology by Luis P. Villarreal
Cover of the book Cross-Layer Design in Optical Networks by Luis P. Villarreal
Cover of the book Fiscal responsibility in constitutional democracy by Luis P. Villarreal
Cover of the book Clinical Behavioral Medicine by Luis P. Villarreal
Cover of the book Handbook of Industrial Catalysts by Luis P. Villarreal
Cover of the book Diversity Issues in Substance Abuse Treatment and Research by Luis P. Villarreal
Cover of the book Occupational Therapy in Rheumatology by Luis P. Villarreal
Cover of the book The A-Z Reference Book of Childhood Conditions by Luis P. Villarreal
Cover of the book Public Policy Analysis by Luis P. Villarreal
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy