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Mason G. Robertson, MD
Savannah

JAMA. 1971;217(8):1105.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

To the Editor.—

The item discussing herpesvirus transforming cells by passing on genes (216:2078, 1971) evokes thoughts on an old philosophical question concerning genetics. The question is, of course, "How does the currently accepted theory of genetics allow for acquired characteristics?"

At present, we accept only various types of haphazard "mutations," generally radiation or chemical damage to chromosomes. Survival of the mutation in turn depends on natural selection.

The question can be turned around. "How does an acquired characteristic come to be shared by a variety of species?" Example: The variety of mammalian species in Australia which share the marsupial characteristic.

Is it possible that viruses afford the "missing link" in our theories? Can genetically unrelated species under certain circumstances be "infected" with the same genetic material? Is it further possible that, under certain circumstances, higher organisms are capable of "shedding" some of their genetic material in the form . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

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