[Pharmboy]

Although roundworms, not related to earthworms, and people are different...

Thanks for clearing that up, Nick. Other than that bit of idiocy, a pretty good article (where are all the good editors at the NY Times?)

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[PatrickHenry]

In another paper, Dr. Ruvkun and Dr. Ahringer have used the RNA method to screen the worm's genome for genes that increase longevity. With two of the six chromosomes tested, they have found that genes in the mitochondria, the energy-producing structure, are particularly important in determining life span.

No doubt, the creationists will reject any benefits that may flow from this satanic research.

[AndrewC]

The more recently acquired genes, which confer animal functions like moving, are less critical and the worm can in many cases survive without them.

This is hilarious. Moving is not essential for a roundworm? What did it do sprout leaves and turn green?

[jennyp]

Dr. Ahringer and colleagues used the library to see which genes could be inactivated without doing much harm to the worm and which were so vital that they killed or deformed it. In her article, also published today in Nature, she reported that the very ancient genes, which the worm shares with plants and fungi, are also the most essential. Their loss is lethal. The more recently acquired genes, which confer animal functions like moving, are less critical and the worm can in many cases survive without them.

This is an interesting side-result. IIRC this general pattern is predicted by evolution, since you'd expect the more ancient genes that survived in widely diverse descendents (plants, fungi, AND animals!) to have very basic functions.

(ugh, I know that won't read well in the morning...)

[<1/1,000,000th%]

This is interesting. When do the experiments start on the Democratic Senators?