The Origin and Evolution of Genetic Material 517 



Wolstenholme, G. (Ed.), Man and His Future, Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1963. 

 See Supplement VII. 



QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION 



42.1. Which do you think came first in evolution, the gene or what we now call the 

 "gene product"? Explain. 



42.2. Do you believe that the genetic material on earth has undergone a biochemical 

 evolution? A structural evolution? A functional evolution? Why? 



42.3. Do you believe there are "superhumans" on other planets? Why? 



42.4. Do you suppose that in the future we will need to be as careful in avoiding 

 contaminants from other planets to our own. as we now are in avoiding the 

 reverse? Why? 



42.5. In what respects would you expect the environment of Venus to be changed if 

 a photosynthesizing microorganism were introduced into its atmosphere? 



42.6. What information would you seek from landing on the moon? Mars? Venus? 



42.7. What characteristics would you expect of genes from other planets? 



42.8. Is protein genetic material? Justify your answer. 



42.9. What is your present opinion of the assumption, stated on p. 10. that genetic 

 material arises only by the replication of pre-existing genetic material? 



42.10. What is your definition of a gene? Of genetics? 



