Replies

"OK, refute my assertion that DNA could not have 'built 'itself up."

Very poor form. You made the assertion, with no backing evidence and you expect me to refute it? The onus is on you to back your assertion up.

But very well. Are you familiar with the term mutation?
You should maybe bone up on the science here:

http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/M/Mutations.html

As shown in the link above mutations primarily occur during meiosis and are replication errors. Within that class of mutation, both duplications and insertions occur, both can lengthen the DNA strand. Since 97% of our DNA is non-coding, these mutations are neutral, but may at a later date code for new function. The non-code to code scenario is speculative but replication errors lengthening the strand is not.

Now it is up to you to prove your assertion!

Within that class of mutation, both duplications and insertions occur, both can lengthen the DNA strand. Since 97% of our DNA is non-coding, these mutations are neutral, but may at a later date code for new function.

Trisomy 18

Trisomy 18 syndrome is a disorder of human chromosomes which occurs in approximately 1 in 6,000 live born infants. Trisomy 18 is due to the presence of an extra #18 chromosome. Over 90% of infants with Trisomy 18 syndrome will have a full trisomy while the remainder will have a trisomy due to a rearrangement called a translocation or have mosaicism (two different cell lines).

Major impact of Trisomy 18 is a predisposition to congenital malformations (birth defects), increased infant mortality, and a developmental disability in older infants and children.