Jim said:
> You and Peter can argue that one out, as you seem to be able
> to disagree with him without being so disagreeable.

Great idea, Jim!  Perhaps it works, since Pete and I (an many others) enjoy 
a mutually educational discussion without personal attacks, such as your jab 
below:

> But you seem to want to, once again, claim some sort
> of special insight that is somehow superior to the general
> consensus,

Sorry, if you're looking for a fight, but I'm not biting.  I'm on the 
learning curve on everything, which is one reason that I follow this List.
It never occurred to me that I had "special insight"  that it was the 
somatic DNA that codes for disease resistance--I thought that was common 
knowledge.

Also not special insight that Nature is extremely conservative with genes, 
and doesn't tend to drop them.  They just tend to stay in the genome, but 
don't get read, or or are read differently, so as not to be expressed in the 
same manner.  Look at the atavisms in humans--people are occassionally born 
with fangs (nothing personal, Jim), tails, hairy bodies, etc.  That is 
because we all still carry those genes--they just don't normally get 
expressed.  However, as soon as a selective pressure is applied that would 
make expression of those genes beneficial, they are waiting there in 
reserve.

Ditto with the genes that scutellata uses for mite control.  The subspecies 
was likely "preadapted" before the mite arrived (not my idea or term, but 
can't remember the source). If the genes used came from a common ancestor 
with the EHB, then those genes are likely hiding in the genome, and can be 
selected for--a process that appears to be occurring in a number of places 
in the EHB worldwide population.

I apologize sincerely to the List if I have come off as feeling superior! 
I'm simply enjoying the learning experience that I am engaged in, and am 
happy to share what I've learned for the benefit of all.   I've got nothing 
to prove, and enjoy being politely corrected--indeed I implore readers to 
share contrary information with me, either on list, or privately.

Randy Oliver 

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