From: Harvey Newstrom (mail@HarveyNewstrom.com)
Date: Mon May 06 2002 - 13:08:54 MDT
On Monday, May 6, 2002, at 05:19 am, Emlyn O'regan wrote:
> It's more than just a blueprint. It's machine readable & executable,
> and I
> think it is self modifiable.
Maybe I am nit-picking, but I would call this data. Each sequence on
the DNA means something to the RNA that reads it. It does not execute
each sequence. A sequence is not a command. Moving a sequence
somewhere else will make it means something else. Physical structures
or proteins get build based on what this data says. No memories are
stored, data processed, logical decisions made, input received or output
produced by this DNA. All computer-like functions are done by the
brain. The brain can die when the software stops running. DNA is not a
process. It does not stop, start or reboot. It simply sits there
waiting to be read. It does not have a current running state like a
software process.
Although arguing analogies is always iffy, I still think it makes more
sense to call the body hardware, DNA firmware for defining the hardware,
the brain is a storage device, and memories/learned behavior is the
software. If you wanted to save my function, you should scan my brain,
not my DNA.
-- Harvey Newstrom, CISSP <www.HarveyNewstrom.com> Principal Security Consultant <www.Newstaff.com>
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