**Update: This meeting has been cancelled/postponed to a later date

[previously]

Dear SMN members and friends,

I've confirmed with Dr Ted Steele (author of Lamarck's Signature and who featured in ABC Television's "Ted's Evolution") that he will present a talk to the SMN group.

Given that we had meetings scheduled up to November 18, I suggested early to mid January would suit most, due to the Christmas break.

He has offered to speak on Sunday January 13th, about his work over the last 30 years. His talk will be “Somatic and germline evolution of antibody variable genes: RNA-to-DNA feedback”. I believe Dr Steele will present solid molecular evidence that shows the somatic mutation pattern (of normal non-reproductive cells in the body) is inherited in the germline (reproductive cells, such as sperm, eggs, gametocytes).

As some of you may know, his research is (what I believe to be) ground-breaking work that has proved quite controversial ... in my opinion, slaying the sacred cow of Darwinian Evolution with a more environmentally-responsive theory that harks back to Lamarck's theories.  If my understanding is anywhere near correct, Dr Steele's work has important implications for what future generations may encounter due to our 'fiddling' with eco-systems.

Dr Steele has also offered to share his reflections on the resistance he has encountered to his ideas.

We have yet to confirm where it will be convened, but suggestions welcomed (Roger, David, Alex?). Given the likely interest in Dr Steele's presentation, we may need to plan for a few more participants than usual. Also, I think for the benefit of the host we'll need to have those interested to confirm their intent to attend.

Additional materials:

• Dr Ted Steele's "Evidence for Lamarck" article. (Highly recommended reading, Steaphen).
• Dr Ted Steele's website (ANU)
• The implications of Steele's soma-to-germline feedback for the safety of somatic gene therapy in humans.
• ABC's Science Show section Ockham¹s Razor
•  or search the Internet with suggested search terms: "Steele Evidence for Lamarck" or similar

I'll post more details at this website as they become available.

Kind regards,
Steaphen Pirie
Sydney Coordinator
The Scientific and Medical Network.