Virolution

Virolution
Frank Ryan

The extraordinary role of viruses in evolution and how this is revolutionising biology and medicine.Darwin's theory of evolution is still the greatest breakthrough in biological science. His explanation of the role of natural selection in driving the evolution of life on earth depended on steady variation of living things over time – but he was unable to explain how this variation occurred. In the 150 years since publication of the Origin of Species, we have discovered three main sources for this variation – mutation, hybridisation and epigenetics. Then on Sunday, 12th February, 2001 the evidence for perhaps the most extraordinary cause of variation was simultaneously released by two organisations – the code for the entire human genome. Not only was the human genome unbelievably simple (it is only ten times more complicated than a bacteria), but embedded in the code were large fragments that were derived from viruses – fragments that were vital to evolution of all organisms and the evidence for a fourth and vital source of variation – viruses.Virolution is the product of Dr Frank Ryan's decade of research at the frontiers of this new science – now called viral symbiosis – and the amazing revolution that it has had in these few years. As scientists begin to look for evidence of viral involvement in more and more processes, they have discovered that they are vital in nearly every case. And with this understanding comes the possibility of manipulating the role of the viruses to help fight a huge range of diseases.

FRANK RYAN

Virolution

The most important evolutionary book since Dawkins’ Selfish Gene

Copyright (#ulink_3acdf7fb-0ad9-5563-b4bc-3a8fcaba0b2b)

William Collins An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street London SE1 9GF

www.harpercollins.co.uk (http://www.harpercollins.co.uk)

First published by Collins 2009

Text & diagrams © FPR-Books Ltd 2009

Frank Ryan asserts his moral right to be identified

as the author of this work.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

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Source ISBN: 9780007315123

Ebook Edition © JULY 2013 ISBN: 9780007545278

Version: 2018–12–04

To the memory of Terry Yates, for the courtesyand generosity of his help and the inspirationthat gave rise to this life-changing journey.

Science knows no country because it is the light that illuminates the world.

LOUIS PASTEUR

Like science, emerging viruses know no country. There are no barriers to prevent their migration across international boundaries or around the 24 time zones.

RICHARD M KRAUSE

A relatively small number of investigators have been preoccupied with the biology of viruses … and how they tick; these scientists are more sensitive to the … evolution of their symbiotic relations with their hosts.

JOSHUA LEDERBERG

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Contents

Cover (#u3e7c3fb9-a534-5dac-89f1-2b4c13c01dea)

Title Page (#u4e33bcab-eca8-572b-9d66-50e29b3be036)

Copyright (#ulink_61ace384-8cf5-5f9c-a075-b559e01defaf)

Dedication (#ulink_b4fecd27-1ebc-5fc5-97d9-40bc62ddcba8)

Epigraph (#ulink_1a0077c1-9a10-5cda-b57f-31ff2175496a)

Introduction: A Wind of Change (#ulink_6a088b8b-f07e-5b95-8c28-08d490a380b5)

1: An Enigma from the World of Plagues (#ulink_196825d6-6821-56cd-a3bc-0934087e7f1e)

2: A Crisis in Darwinism (#ulink_6c6587ce-8ea1-5aa5-92c2-4df3db88bbea)

3: The Genetic Web of Life (#ulink_6450421d-5989-5d9e-85f9-12a90aa53dbe)

4: The AIDS Dimension (#ulink_00edff0e-0cf7-5d2f-9d6b-a4931dc734bb)

5: The Paradox of the Human Genome (#litres_trial_promo)

6: How Viruses Helped Make Us Human (#litres_trial_promo)

7: The Implications for Medicine (#litres_trial_promo)

8: The Autoimmune Diseases (#litres_trial_promo)

9: Cancer (#litres_trial_promo)

10: The Wider Dimension (#litres_trial_promo)

11: Sex in the Evolutionary Tree (#litres_trial_promo)

12: Are We Polyploid? (#litres_trial_promo)

13: The Genie that Controls the Genes (#litres_trial_promo)

14: The Coming Epiphany (#litres_trial_promo)

15: At Journey’s End (#litres_trial_promo)

Glossary of Terms (#litres_trial_promo)

Index (#litres_trial_promo)