Juxtiposition - Hurricanes and Genetics

Felix could become Category 5 hurricane By ESTEBAN FELIX, Associated Press Writer Forecasters said Tuesday that Hurricane Felix could strengthen into a Category 5 monster just as it makes landfall near the Nicaragua-Honduras border, home to thousands of stranded Miskito Indians. Meanwhile, off Mexico's Pacific coast, Tropical Storm Henriette strengthened into a hurricane, the National Hurricane Center said, with winds of 75 mph. It is on a path that would take it near or over Mexico's southern Baja Peninsula by Tuesday afternoon. (Yahoo News)

Mom's Genes or Dad's? Map Can Tell. One Man's DNA Shows We're Less Alike Than We Thought By Rick Weiss Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, September 4, 2007; Page A01 Scientists have for the first time determined the order of virtually every letter of DNA code in an individual, offering an unprecedented readout of the separate genetic contributions made by that person's mother and father. (Washington Post)

On first glance, these two article have nothing to do with each other. In fact, they are probably more directly related than you might imagine, especially when you consider that I am reading Darwin's The Origin of Species (Literature.org) and Project Gutenberg). How? There is some body of evidence, greater even than that of climactic change and global temperature fluctuation that indicates that some 95% of all the species on earth are extinct. Wiped out. Destroyed. Those in the Intelligent Design camp would have us believe that some one up there is responsible for making us, us. Frankly, it is a long stretch of faith (and it would have to be based solely on faith) to put any sort of stock in that belief.

One of the more reoccurring reasons, simply, is nature herself. As we are about to witness, another, potentially dangerous Category 5 (as we currently measure them) storm is about to roll over an area of dense vegetation, poor (by our standards) living conditions and marginal soil base, which will result in devastation, loss of life and a long period of regrowth and renewal.

Now, before we boo-hoo the loss of life, which is expected to be substantial, I want you to think for a moment. Hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes, biological plagues and other assorted nastiness have bothered this planet for most of its existence. During that time, ecosystems have been altered or destroyed and the loss of life has been significant. With six billion people on the planet, loosing a couple thousand in a hurricane is bad day, but we will go on. When there were not that many people, loosing a couple of thousand could have had, and is estimated to have had a dramatic and significant impact on what comprises the human species today, especially given the current results that there is as much chance (mutation) as there is parental lineage to our genetic make up.

We, man, have currently expended large amounts of energy to prolong life and make a better place for ourselves on this planet. As a result, we have affected her climate and her ecosystems. This is not something we can change. Regrettably, we cannot wind back the clock. We do need to make some substantive changes though. We need to reduce the amount of energy we are using, not because of so called global warming (sorry, as a Geographer you will need a lot more evidence to convince me that a couple of hundred years of man-made effluence is even close to equal the output of a couple of very large volcanic eruptions, which we have strong evidence did more to alter the earth's climate) but because of the effects of the exploration and exploitation of the surrounding environment that is being explored and harvested. We need fewer malls, fewer things, just fewer. Obesity is just symptom of a much greater ill. I guess Mother Nature, in her twisted way, figures if she cannot kill us with pain, she will kill us with pleasure.

Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go an prepare for the next hurricane.