Are cancers newly evolved species?

University of California, Berkeley ^ | July 26, 2011 | Robert Sanders

[decimon]

BERKELEY —

Cancer patients may view their tumors as parasites taking over their bodies, but this is more than a metaphor for Peter Duesberg, a molecular and cell biology professor at the University of California, Berkeley.

Cancerous tumors are parasitic organisms, he said. Each one is a new species that, like most parasites, depends on its host for food, but otherwise operates independently and often to the detriment of its host.

In a paper published in the July 1 issue of the journal Cell Cycle, Duesberg and UC Berkeley colleagues describe their theory that carcinogenesis – the generation of cancer – is just another form of speciation, the evolution of new species.

“Cancer is comparable to a bacterial level of complexity, but still autonomous, that is, it doesn’t depend on other cells for survival; it doesn’t follow orders like other cells in the body, and it can grow where, when and how it likes,” said Duesberg. “That’s what species are all about.”

This novel view of cancer could yield new insights into the growth and metastasis of cancer, Duesberg said, and perhaps new approaches to therapy or new drug targets. In addition, because the disrupted chromosomes of newly evolved cancers are visible in a microscope, it may be possible to detect cancers earlier, much as today’s Pap smear relies on changes in the shapes of cervical cells as an indication of chromosomal problems that could lead to cervical cancer.

[SunkenCiv]

GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother & Ernest_at_the_Beach	join list or digest view topics view or post blog bookmark post a topic subscribe
Thanks decimon for posting this tropic. While the system posts this to everyone on the list, I'm going to crab another beverage. To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list.

[toothfairy86]

It’s proven that certain viruses cause cancer...for example, human papilloma virus (HPV) causes cervical, oral, and rectal cancer. And the AIDS virus causes Kaposi’s Sarcoma. The difference is that these viruses cause a genetic mutation in the human cells to reproduce at an abnormal rate and develop an atypical cell structure. Although cancerous tumors behave with parasitic activity, they are not a distinct species or distinct life form separate from the host.

[sbMKE]

Cancers are people too, but babies are just cell masses?

Just trying to get this straight.

[decimon]

...I'm going to crab another beverage.

If you're willing to shell out for it.

[Straight Vermonter]

This has been proposed before for a specific line of breast cancer cells that are nearly uncontrollable even in a lab.

[occamrzr06]

That’s the 2nd thing to go. I don’t recall the 1st.

[GSWarrior]

I hear a little bell....something about the HIV virus.

[Riley]

...I'm going to crab another beverage.

If you're willing to shell out for it.

Count me in- anything'll do in a pinch.

[ApplegateRanch]

Are cancers newly evolved species?

When we asked an EPA Endangered Species spokesperson the above question, she immediately answered, "YES! We are declaring them Protected, since each is a unique new species. It will now be illegal for anyone to kill, injure, or harass these wonderful new creatures. Just think of all the money the government will save under Obamacare Comprehensive Healthcare Reform, by not having to pay for any cancer treatments!"

[BIGLOOK]

Well so much for genetic breakdown or abnormalities to explain out of control cell growth. Now we have bacterial, viral vectors to chase down. Stipulating some may well be a trigger aggravating an underlying genetic defect but I can't go so far as to name them a cause or the buy into the evolved species bunk.

Crab me another beverage too, SC.

[Bigg Red]

Cancer is a fungus....

&&&
A fungus? Really?

[bert]

This is a great line of thought and I can believe it

The issue then boils down to what initiates the first cells.

If so, it means evolution is alive and well.

[Ellendra]

Cancer is a fungus

I wasn't aware that it was possible for a group of cells to spontaneously change kingdoms.

[SunkenCiv]

I’m going to sidestep your remark.

[ConservativeMind]

Yeah, I’ve never met a shark who told me it had cancer, either. :-)

[cripplecreek]

I don’t remember them treating granddad’s skin cancer with fungicide.

[Texas Songwriter]

This paper is a testament to the a priori commitment to prosethelizing the faith of evolution. It is such a reach to move from an uncontrolled mitiotic activity of a cell (which is what a carcinoma is) to defining that as an "organism". We might just as well define uterine fibromyomas, or speenosis, or hemanioma, or sarcoid tumors, or any benign growth as a new organism.

Seeking to be perceived as the smartest people in the room the float this trial balloon, in search of affirmation by science and have it decreed valid.

I would only ask, where is your evidence, scientific evidence, that any tumor, anywhere, at any time on the face of the earth ever gave rise to another species, or is this another 'just so' proposition which will take on credibility by decree of the 'magesterium of science' whose agenda is...allow any possibility...except a theistic first cause for life.

[Ellendra]

No kidding!!

“Skin cancer, well we’ll just dab some of this athlete’s foot stuff on ‘em and away we go.”