Some of the claims by ID proponents have not been adequately explored because of the cost issues involved in doing large-scale whole-genome sequencing of numerous individuals. Not even Warren Buffet has the trillions of dollars needed to accomplish such a massive amount of gene sequencing. At least not today, but maybe in the future!
The human genome project took 3 billion dollars and 13 years to complete. By comparison, Solexa might be able to do a comparable job for a few thousand dollars per person (ideally even less) and in a much shorter time frame. (See the UD sidebar on Solexa Genomics.) Solexa might be viewed as an unwitting research partner of the ID movement.
The fine work of two important ID proponents, Cornell geneticist John Sanford and independent researcher Walter ReMine, might finally get slam dunk empirical confirmation if Solexa succeeds in its grand quest. For example, a fundamental consequence of Sanford’s Genetic Entropy thesis is that there will be an unabated rise in Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) per generation per individual. If confirmed, this data will be more nails in Darwin’s coffin, and then Darwin Day might have to be renamed Darwin Bashing Day (or something else, how about Abe Lincoln Day?).
Solexa, Inc. is developing and commercializing the Solexa Genome Analysis System, which is being used to perform a range of analyses including whole genome resequencing, gene expression analysis and small RNA analysis. Solexa expects its first-generation instrument, the 1G Genome Analyzer, to generate over a billion bases of DNA sequence per run and to enable human genome resequencing below $100,000 per sample, making it the first platform to reach this important milestone. Solexa’s longer-term goal is to reduce the cost of human re-sequencing to a few thousand dollars for use in a wide range of applications from basic research through clinical diagnostics. For further information, please visit www.solexa.com.
Update: I should add, Solexa’s technology is poised to provide data which will overturn the prevailing ideas about molecular clocks (See: Molecular Clocks: Michael Denton continues to be vindicated). I will elaborate in the comment section if anyone is interested. In brief, we do not have accurate measurements of molecular evolution to the degree needed to overturn certain hypotheses. The increased accuracy provided by Solexa technology could permanently shatter the prevailing molecular clock hypothesis and vindicate various claims of ID proponents.
Update: Solexa’s technology will also aid in the ID quest of steganography in biology. If the key to rapidly understanding the steganography in junkDNA is through comparative sequencing of various creatures, Solexa’s technology is a welcome friend. I would like to also acknowledge again the fine work of Dr. Pellionisz on JunkDNA. I expect he will be delighted by the work of Solexa. Here is the latest from Dr. Pellionisz comment 87430