From: rokimoto557@gmail.com   
      
   On 1/6/2026 8:13 AM, MarkE wrote:   
   > I've recently claimed here that the 80 megabytes of information in the   
   > functional portion of the human genome is wildly insufficient to specify   
   > the development of a human [1] into the system that is us [2]. I've   
   > suggested that the "missing" information must be located in the ovum's   
   > cytoplasm, organelles and membrane.   
   >   
   > I've directly asked a number of contributors here if they believe 80 MB   
   > is sufficient to specify a human. This has generally been met with   
   > silence. I can understand why, after an even cursory consideration of   
   > [1] and [2]. Moreover, the implications of this for evolutionary theory   
   > and biology are profound.   
   >   
   > Anyway, it seems that ID agrees with me. This may not help convince you,   
   > but I'm encouraged that others think this is an issue that needs attention.   
   >   
   > If you're unfamiliar, what you may find interesting is ID's proposed   
   > solution: an "immaterial genome", with reference to Neoplatonism.   
   >   
   > I'm not discounting that position, but do find it surprising! Would this   
   > be a new creationist category, something like Continuous Creation? Some   
   > may have less complimentary suggestions.   
   >   
   > Anyway, enjoy (Ron, you may need medical attention after reading these):   
   >   
   > https://scienceandculture.com/2025/05/the-immaterial-genome-richard-   
   > sternbergs-labor-of-love/   
   >   
   > https://scienceandculture.com/2025/04/the-math-behind-the-immaterial-   
   > genome/   
   >   
   > ______________   
   >   
   >   
   > [1] FROM ONE CELL TO A HUMAN BEING: AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROCESS AND ITS   
   > MYSTERIES   
   >   
   > *Fertilisation* begins when a sperm and ovum fuse to form a single cell:   
   > the *zygote*. In that moment, a new, genetically unique human organism   
   > exists. Yet nothing visible distinguishes this cell from countless   
   > others. What follows is one of the most extraordinary processes known in   
   > nature.   
   >   
   > ---   
   >   
   > ## 1. Exponential division without growth: cleavage   
   >   
   > Within hours, the zygote begins dividing: 1 cell becomes 2, then 4, 8,   
   > 16, and so on. These early divisions, called *cleavage*, are remarkable   
   > because the total size of the embryo does not increase. Instead, the   
   > original cytoplasm is partitioned into ever-smaller cells.   
   >   
   > Key features:   
   >   
   > * Division is rapid and tightly synchronized.   
   > * Cells remain enclosed in the original outer membrane.   
   > * The embryo reaches ~100 cells in a few days.   
   >   
   > *What is striking:*   
   > All cells initially appear equivalent, yet they are already on   
   > trajectories that will lead to radically different fates.   
   >   
   > *What we do not fully understand:*   
   > How early asymmetries—subtle differences in molecular concentrations,   
   > mechanics, and timing—bias later cell fate decisions with such reliability.   
   >   
   > ---   
   >   
   > ## 2. Self-organisation and implantation: the blastocyst   
   >   
   > After several days, the embryo reorganises into a *blastocyst*—a hollow   
   > structure with:   
   >   
   > * an *inner cell mass* (which will become the body),   
   > * and an *outer layer* (which will help form the placenta).   
   >   
   > The blastocyst implants into the uterine wall, establishing a   
   > biochemical dialogue with the mother that allows pregnancy to continue.   
   >   
   > *What is striking:*   
   > This organisation emerges without a central controller. Cells “decide”   
   > their roles through local interactions, gene regulation, and physical   
   > constraints.   
   >   
   > *What we do not fully understand:*   
   > How global structure arises so robustly from local rules, and why   
   > implantation succeeds or fails so often despite apparently normal embryos.   
   >   
   > ---   
   >   
   > ## 3. The body plan appears: gastrulation   
   >   
   > Around the third week, the embryo undergoes *gastrulation*, often called   
   > *the most important event in your life*. A simple sheet of cells folds   
   > and rearranges to form three foundational layers:   
   >   
   > * *Ectoderm* → nervous system, skin   
   > * *Mesoderm* → muscle, bone, blood, heart   
   > * *Endoderm* → gut, liver, lungs   
   >   
   >  From this point onward, the basic body axes—head to tail, back to   
   > front, left to right—are established.   
   >   
   > *What is striking:*   
   > A consistent human body plan emerges from dramatic cellular movements   
   > that look, under a microscope, almost chaotic.   
   >   
   > *What we do not fully understand:*   
   > How genetic instructions, chemical gradients, and mechanical forces are   
   > integrated in real time to yield precise, repeatable anatomy.   
   >   
   > ---   
   >   
   > ## 4. Differentiation and organ formation: organogenesis   
   >   
   > Cells now differentiate into hundreds of specialised types and assemble   
   > into organs. Neural cells wire themselves into circuits. Blood vessels   
   > branch through tissues. The heart begins beating while still forming.   
   >   
   > Cell numbers increase exponentially, eventually reaching *tens of   
   > trillions*, yet:   
   >   
   > * proportions are maintained,   
   > * left–right symmetry is mostly preserved,   
   > * errors are detected and corrected.   
   >   
   > *What is striking:*   
   > No cell “knows” the whole plan, yet the whole plan reliably appears.   
   >   
   > *What we do not fully understand:*   
   >   
   > * How large-scale structures (like vascular trees or neural   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)