| abstract | - Symbiogenesis was a rare reproductive process. Instead of pollination or mating, symbiogenetic organisms merged with a second species to create a hybrid. lysosomal enzymes might be an indicator of symbiogenesis. Andorian amoeba were a known example. They merged with other single-celled organisms to form an unique third species. Symbiogenesis did not generally occur in a species as complex as a Humanoid. However, the process occurred on the USS Voyager in 2372 when Lieutenant Commander Tuvok and Neelix found themselves combined to form a new individual they named Tuvix. It was theorized that this had been made possible by the fact that during transport they would have to be broken down to microcelluar level, their DNA and proteins all in a state of molecular flux. If an enzyme causing symbiogenesis interacted with DNA while in the matter stream, their patterns might then be merged. Neelix and Tuvok had been collecting samples of a rare orchid when they were beamed up. The orchid enzymes reacted with the separated microcellular state the crewmen were in, combining their DNA. As a result, there was only one pattern, the combined one, to rematerialize. The combination was a success, and Tuvix had no ill effects physically or mentally. Eventually, The Doctor found a way to separate them by using a radio-isotope which would attach itself to one of the original species' DNA patterns, but not the other, allowing the transporter to separate them, despite Tuvix's protests. (VOY: "Tuvix"). "Symbiogenesis" was also the draft title for the episode "Tuvix". Some television listings still use this title.
- Symbiogenesis is a school of evolutionary thought that attempts to explain the origin of new genetic information. The chief current proponents of symbiogenesis are Dr. Lynn Margulis and Dorion Sagan. Dr. Margulis argues that symbiogenesis is a primary force behind evolution. Dr. Margulis is a Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Geosciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Dr. Margulis is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the Russian Academy of Natural Science. She received a National Medal of Science from President Bill Clinton in 2000. The idea of symbiogenesis originated with Konstantin Mereschkowsky in his 1926 book Symbiogenesis and the Origin of Species. In an article entitled The Century-and-a-half failure in the quest of new genetic information the creation scientist Dr. Jerry Bergman writes concerning symbiogenesis:
|
