TRAIL AND ERROR

My computer is acting very, very strangely. Maybe because of the wind I really do not know. Everything seems to be by trial and error. Mostly error.

I am trying some new bread to see if it makes a difference in how I feel. I am giving in to dad's nagging that I go to the doctor and he [the doctor] better act pleased to see me or else. This is the grouch in me that has decided to express it's miserableness.

Dad drove to White Rock which was good as I was feeling a little dizzy. Then after filling my basket with goodies we met Jane and Geof for coffee at Starbucks. Home to have a nap and get in the mood for Gracelyn's 16th birthday. Why can I never find scotch tape when I need it. O well dad says it does not matter as he sits watching the hockey game. It will be a fun and noisy party which makes us feel happy to be there. We will receive a warm welcome as a part of their family.

Tomorrow we pick up Carol and Panteli to take them to the airport. Theresa, Ben and Morgan may drive in from Chilliwack to see them before they go. I hate saying good-bye to people and so many of our family are scattered here and there.

Trail and error also happens in scientific research as described by a researcher in Genetics named Francis S. Collins. He began studies of the D.N.A. code in which are several hundred letters. He studied the production of just one protein, found in red blood cells, of the human fetus in utero. This protein is called hemoglobin and it allows red blood cells to deliver oxygen from our lungs to all the rest of the body. Humans and some apes use a special version of hemoglobin before birth that helps extract oxygen from the mother's blood to nourish the growing fetus. During the first year of life this fetal hemoglobin turns off. However, in further study a Jamaican family continued to carry quantities of this into adulthood. It took eighteen months to discover a G instead of a C of one of the genes that triggered fetal hemoglobin production. Even 20percent of fetal hemoglobin would eliminate
sickle cell disease.

A study was undertaken to characterize and estimate how many genes the genome might contain. Protein-coding regions of genes are interrupted by intervening DNA segments called introns. "Despite all these uncertainties, there was no question how valuable a complete genome sequence would be. He would lead a team to pursue the genetic basis of certain diseases. Foremost was cystic fibrosis. Steady improvements in managing symptoms-replacing enzymes in the pancreas, treating lung infections with better antibiotics and improving nutrition and physical therapy-gradually extended the life of CF patients.

One letter in the 3 billion letters of the DNA code going wrong caused illness.

We all have two copies of each gene, one inherited from Mom and one from Dad. Both copies of the gene are faulty then there is trouble. An exhaustive study continued; in a search to find a disease gene by progressively narrowing its chromosomal position. When CF researchers and families and clinicians gather ed celebrat a breakthrough there was great rejoicing.

Critics would say :geneticists would be wading through a sea of drivel to emerge dry shod on a tiny island of information." Studies would be costly and extremely time consuming. He would become involved with the Human Gnome Project.

"As a believer in God, was I being called to take on a larger role in a project that would have profound consequences for our understanding of ourselves?" On June 26 the first draft of the human instruction book had been determined and he named it the language of God. "This book was written in the DNA language by which God spoke life into being. A modern understanding of science can be harmonized with a belief in God."

Support was being found for Darwin's theory of evolution. We human beings may share a common ancestor with other human beings Yes, evolution is only a theory but the discoveries of science are important in our understanding of faith in God.