Ways F Cricks NeoDarwinian "Central Dogma" fails


The central dogma of molecular biology is a theory of how genetic information flows in cells. It was first proposed by Francis Crick in 1958 and states that genetic information flows only in one direction, from DNA to RNA to protein. Crick used the word "Dogma"as a "thumb in the eye" to the religious.

The central dogma of molecular biology was felt to support neo-Darwinism in several ways. First, it states that genetic information flows only from DNA to RNA to protein. This means that the DNA is the blueprint for all proteins in the cell, and any changes to the DNA can potentially lead to changes in the proteins.

Second, the central dogma explains how mutations can lead to evolution. Mutations are changes in the DNA that can be inherited by offspring. If a mutation changes a protein in a way that makes it more beneficial for the organism, then that organism is more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on the mutation to its offspring. 

Over time, this process of natural selection can lead to significant changes in the organism's genes and proteins, which can lead to new species.

Third, the central dogma provides a framework for understanding how genes interact with each other to control the development of an organism. The proteins encoded by genes interact with each other to form complex networks that control everything from cell division to the growth and differentiation of tissues.

The central dogma of molecular biology was a fundamental principle of biology. However, there are a number of ways in which the central dogma has been shown to be incorrect.


Here are 9 ways the central dogma has failed:

  1. Reverse transcription. Reverse transcription is the process by which RNA is used to synthesize DNA. This occurs in retroviruses, which are viruses that use RNA as their genetic material. Reverse transcription is also used by some cellular genes, such as the genes that encode telomerase.

  2. RNA editing. RNA editing is the process by which the sequence of RNA is altered after it has been transcribed from DNA. This can involve the addition, deletion, or modification of nucleotides. RNA editing is a common process in eukaryotes, and it is thought to play a role in regulating gene expression.

  3. Introns. Introns are non-coding regions of DNA that are spliced out of RNA transcripts before they are translated into protein. The discovery of introns challenged the idea that DNA is a linear blueprint for protein synthesis.

  4. Ribozymes. Ribozymes are RNA molecules that can catalyze chemical reactions. This means that RNA can not only carry genetic information, but it can also act as enzymes. Ribozymes are found in all three domains of life, and they are thought to have played a role in the origin of life.

  5. Prions. Prions are infectious proteins that can cause diseases such as mad cow disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Prions are able to replicate without the need for DNA or RNA, which violates the central dogma. They have been shown to guide protein inheritance over thousands of generations.


  1. Transposons. Transposons are mobile genetic elements that can move from one location to another in the genome. Transposons can be either DNA or RNA, and they can move by a variety of mechanisms. The discovery of transposons showed that the genome is not a static entity, but is constantly being rearranged.

  2. Epigenetics. Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene expression that are not caused by changes in DNA sequence. Epigenetic changes can be caused by environmental factors such as diet, stress, and exposure to toxins. Epigenetics plays a role in a variety of biological processes, including development, aging, and disease.

  3. Viruses. Viruses are not cells, but they contain genetic material that can be replicated. Viruses can either integrate their genetic material into the host cell's genome or they can replicate their genetic material independently. The replication of viral genetic material violates the central dogma.

  4. The hologenome concept. The hologenome concept is a view of the cell as a community of interacting genes, proteins, and other molecules. The hologenome concept challenges the idea that the genome is the sole determinant of the cell's phenotype.

These are just a few of the ways in which the central dogma has been shown to be incorrect. The central dogma is still taught but it is important to be aware of its failings.


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