The Biology of Belief
Dr. Bruce H. Lipton, Ph.D. � 2001
Recent advances in cellular science are heralding an important evolutionary
turning point. For almost fifty years we have held the illusion that our
health and fate were preprogrammed in our genes, a concept referred to as
genetic determinacy. Though mass consciousness is currently imbued with the
belief that the character of one�s life is genetically predetermined, a
radically new understanding is unfolding at the leading edge of science.
Cellular biologists now recognize that the environment (external universe
and internal-physiology), and more importantly, our perception of the
environment, directly controls the activity of our genes. The lecture will
broadly review the molecular mechanisms by which environmental awareness
interfaces genetic regulation and guides organismal evolution.
The quantum physics behind these mechanisms provide insight into the
communication channels that link the mind-body duality. An awareness of how
vibrational signatures and resonance impact molecular communication
constitutes a master key that unlocks a mechanism by which our thoughts,
attitudes and beliefs create the conditions of our body and the external
world. This knowledge can be employed to actively redefine our physical and
emotional well-being.
Lecture Outline:
Knowledge of the philosophical foundation underlying conventional
(allopathic) medicine is relevant for it illuminates why and how the dogma
of genetic determinacy was derived.
Francis Bacon defined the mission of Modern Science shortly after the onset
of the Scientific Revolution (1543). Accordingly, the purpose of science was
"to dominate and control Nature." To accomplish that goal, scientists had to
first acquire knowledge of what "controls" an organism�s structure and
function (behavior). Concepts founded in the principles of Newtonian physics
defined the experimental approach to this quest. These principles stipulate
that the Universe is a "physical mechanism" comprised of parts (matter),
there is no attention given to the invisible "energy." In this world view,
all that matters is "matter." Consequently, modern science is preoccupied
with materialism.
The way to understand how a finely tuned mechanism works is to disassemble
it and analyze all of the component "parts." This approach is called
reductionism. Through an analysis of the parts and how they interact,
defective part(s) in a malfunctioning organism can be identified and either
repaired or replaced with "manufactured" parts (drugs, engineered genes,
prosthetic devices, etc.). Knowledge of the body�s mechanism would enable
scientists to determine how an organism works and how to "control" the
organism by altering its "parts."
Biologists were preoccupied with taking organisms apart and studying their
cells for the first half of this century. Subsequently, cells were
disassembled and their molecular "parts" catalogued and characterized. Cells
are comprised of four types of large (macro-) molecules:
Proteins/Polysaccharides (sugars)/Nucleic Acids (gene stuff)/Lipids (fats)
The name protein means "primary element" (proteios, Gr.) for proteins are
the primary components of all plant and animal cells. A human is made of
~100,000 different proteins. Proteins are linear "chains," whose molecular
"links" are comprised of amino acid molecules. Each of the 20 different
amino acids has a unique shape, so that when linked together in a chain, the
resulting proteins fold into elaborate 3-dimensional "wire sculptures." The
protein�s sculpture�s pattern is determined by the sequence of its amino
acid links.
The balancing of electromagnetic charges along the protein's chain serves to
control the "final" shape of the sculpture. The unique shape of a protein
sculpture is referred to as its "conformation." In the manner of a lock and
key, protein sculptures compliment the shape of environmental molecules
(which includes other proteins). When proteins interlock with the
complimentary environmental molecules, they assemble into complex structures
(similar to the way cogged "gears" intermesh to make a watch).
When proteins chemically couple with other molecules it changes the
distribution of electromagnetic charges in the protein. Changes in "charge"
cause the protein to change its shape. Therefore, upon coupling with
chemicals, a protein will shift its shape from one conformation to another
conformation. A protein generates "motion" as it changes shape. A protein�s
movement can be harnessed to do "work." Groups of interacting proteins which
work together in carrying out a specific function are referred to as
"pathways." The activities of specific protein pathways provide for
digestion, excretion, respiration, reproduction and all of the other
physiologic "functions" employed by living organisms.
Proteins provide for the organism�s structure and function, but random
protein actions can not provide for "life." Scientists needed to identify
the mechanism that "integrates" protein functions to allow for the complex
behaviors. Their search was linked to the fact that proteins are labile
(opposite of stabile). Like parts in a car, proteins "wear-out" when they
are used. If an individual protein in a pathway wears-out and is not
replaced then the action of the pathway will stop. To resume function, the
protein must be replaced. Consequently, behavioral functions were thought to
be controlled by "regulating" the presence or absence of proteins comprising
the pathways. The source of replacement protein parts is related to "memory"
factors that provide for heredity the passing on of "character"
The search for the hereditary factors that controlled protein synthesis led
to DNA. In 1953, Watson and Crick unraveled the mystery of the "genetic
code," which revealed how the DNA served as a molecular "blueprint" that
defined amino acid sequences comprising a protein. The DNA blueprint for
each protein is referred to as a gene. Since proteins define the character
of an organism and the proteins structures are encoded in the DNA,
biologists established the dogma known as the Primacy of DNA. In this
context, Primacy means "first level of control." It was concluded that DNA
"controls" the structure and behavior of living organisms. Since DNA
"determines" the character of an organism, then it is appropriate to
acknowledge the concept of Genetic Determinism, the idea that the structure
and behavior of an organism are defined by its genes.
Sciences materialist-reductionist-determinist philosophy led to the Human
Genome Project, the multibillion dollar program to map all of the genes.
Once this is accomplished, it is assumed that we can use that knowledge to
repair or replace "defective" genes and in the process, realize Sciences
mission of "controlling" the expression of an organism.
Since 1953, biologists have assumed that DNA "controls" life. In
multicellular animals, the organ that "controls" life is known as the brain.
Since genes are presumed to control cellular life, and genes are contained
in the cell�s nucleus, the nucleus would be expected to be the equivalent of
the cells "brain."
Dispelling the Myth of Genes:
If the brain is removed from any organism, the immediate and necessary
consequence of that action is nucleus, referred to as enucleation, would be
tantamount to removing the cells brain. Though enucleation should result in
the immediate death of the cell, enucleated cells may continue to survive
and exhibit a "regulated" control of their biological processes. In fact,
cells can live for two or more months without a nucleus. Clearly, the
assumption that genes "control" cell behavior is wrong!
As is described by Nijhout (X), genes are "not self-emergent," that is genes
can not turn themselves on or off. If genes can�t control their own
expression, how can they control the behavior of the cell? Without further
emphasizes that genes are regulated by "environmental signals."
Consequently, it is the environment that controls gene expression. Rather
than endorsing the Primacy of DNA, we must acknowledge the Primacy of the
Environment!
Cells "read" their environment, assess the information and then select
appropriate behavioral programs to maintain their survival. The fact that
data is integrated, processed and used to make a calculated behavioral
response emphasizes the existence of a "brain" equivalent in the cell.
Where is cell�s brain? The answer is to be found in bacteria, the most
primitive organisms on Earth. The many processes and functions of this
unicellular life form are highly integrated, consequently, it must have a
brain equivalent. Cytologically, these organisms do not contain any
organelles (diminutive of "organs) such as nuclei, mitochondria, Golgi
bodies, etc. The only organized structure in these primitive life forms is
its "cell membrane," also known as its plasmalemma. The cell membrane, once
thought to be like a permeable Saran Wrap that holds the cytoplasm together,
actually provides for the bacterium�s digestive, respiratory, excretory and
integumentary (skin) systems. It also serves as the cell�s "brain."
The cell membrane is primarily composed of "phospholipids" and proteins.
Phospholipids, which resemble lollipops with two sticks, are arranged in a
crystalline bilayer. The membrane resembles a bread and butter sandwich,
wherein the lipid "sticks" form the central butter layer. The phospholipid
bilayer forms a skin-like barrier which separates the external environment
from the internal cytoplasm.
Built into the membrane are special proteins called Integral Membrane
Proteins (IMPs). IMPs look like olives in the membrane�s bread and butter
sandwich. There are two classes of IMPs: receptors and effectors. Receptors
are the cell�s "sense" organs, the equivalents of eyes, ears, nose, etc.
When a receptor recognizes and binds to a signal, it responds by changing
its conformation. Conventional biology stipulates that receptors only
respond to "matter" (molecules), a belief consistent with the Newtonian view
of the Universe as a "matter machine."
Leading edge contemporary cell research has transcended conventional
Newtonian physics and is now soundly based upon a universe created out of
energy as defined by quantum physics. This new physics emphasizes energetics
over materialism, substitutes holism for reductionism, and recognizes
uncertainty in place of determinism. Consequently, we now recognize that
receptors respond to energy signals as well as molecular signals.
Conventional medicine has consistently ignored research published in its own
main-stream scientific journals, research that clearly reveals the
regulatory influence that electromagnetic fields have on cell physiology.
Pulsed electromagnetic fields have been shown to regulate virtually every
cell function, including DNA synthesis, RNA synthesis, protein synthesis,
cell division, cell differentiation, morphogenesis and neuroendocrine
regulation. These findings are relevant for they acknowledge that biological
behavior can be controlled by "invisible" energy forces, which include thought.
When activated by its complimentary signal, the protein receptor changes its
conformation so that it is able to complex with a specific effector protein.
Effector proteins carry out cell behaviors. Effector proteins may be
enzymes, cytoskeletal elements (cellular equivalents of muscle and bone ) or
transporters (proteins that carry electrons, protons, ions, and other
specific molecules across the "bread and butter" barrier). Generally
effector proteins are inactive in their resting conformation.
However, when the receptor binds to the effector protein, it causes the
effector to changes its own conformation from an inactive to an active form.
This is how an environmental signal activates a cell�s behavior. The
activity of effector IMPs generally regulate the behaviors of cytoplasmic
protein pathways, like those associated with digestion, excretion, and cell
movement. If specific functional proteins are not already present in the
cell, activated effector IMPs send a signal to the nucleus and elicit
required gene programs.
Receptor IMPs "see" or are "aware" of their environment and effector IMPs
create physical responses that translate environmental signals into an
appropriate biological behavior. The IMP complex controls behavior, and
through its affect upon regulatory proteins, these IMPs also control gene
expression.. The IMP complexes provide the cell with "awareness of the
environment through physical sensation," which by dictionary definition
represents perception. Each receptor-effector protein complex collectively
constitutes a "unit of perception."
A biochemical definition of the cell membrane reads as follows: the membrane
is a liquid crystal (phospholipid organization), semiconductor (the only
things that can cross the membrane barrier are those brought across by
transport IMPs) with gates (receptor IMPs) and channels (effector IMPs).This
definition is exactly the same as that used to define a computer chip.
Recent studies have verified that the cell membrane is in fact an organic
homologue of a silicon chip.
Taken in this context, the cell is a self-powered microprocessor. Simply
stated, the cell is an organic computer. The operation of the cell can be
easily understood by noting its homology to the computer: the "CPU"
(information processing mechanism) is the cell membrane, the keyboard (data
entry) are the membrane receptors, the disk (memory) is the nucleus, the
screen (data output) is the physical state of the cell. Receptor/effector
IMP complexes, the units of "perception," are equivalent to computational bits.
When new, heretofore unrecognized, "signals" enter the environment, the cell
creates new perception units to respond to them. New perception units
require "new" genes for the IMP proteins. The cell�s ability to make new IMP
receptors and respond to the new signal with an appropriate
survival-oriented response (behavior) is the foundation of evolution. Cells
"learn" by making new receptors and integrating them with specific effector
proteins. Cellular memory is represented by the "new" genes that code for
these proteins. This process enables organisms to survive in ever changing
environments.
This learning/evolution mechanism is employed by the immune system. To the
immune cell (T-lymphocyte), invasive style='text-transform:
uppercase'>antigens (e.g., viruses, bacteria, toxins, etc.) represent "new"
environmental signals. T-lymphocytes create protein antibodies which
complement and bind to the antigens. Antibodies are "receptors" for they
specifically recognize their antigen "signal." Protein antibody structure is
encoded in genes (DNA). In making new antibodies, cells "create" new genes.
A cell�s awareness of the environment is reflected in its receptor
population. In single-celled organisms (bacteria, protozoa and algae), the
cell�s receptors respond to all survival-related environmental signals.
These signals include elements of the physical environment (light, gravity,
temperature, salts, minerals, etc.), food (nutrients, other organisms), and
life-threatening agents (toxins, parasites, predators, etc.).
In multicellular organisms, the cells evolved additional receptors required
for "community" identity and integration. Integration receptors respond to
information signals (hormones, growth factors) used to coordinate functions
in cell communities. A special group of receptors confer "identity" so that
members of the cellular community can collectively respond to a "central"
command. Identity receptors are referred to as "self receptors," or
"histocompatibility receptors." Self-receptors are used by the immune system
to distinguish "self" from invasive organisms. Organs or tissues can not be
exchanged unless they bear the same self-receptors as the recipient.
When a perception unit recognizes an environmental signal, it will activate
a cell function. Though there are hundreds of behavioral functions expressed
by a cell, all behaviors can be classified as either growth or protection
responses. Cells move toward growth signals and away from life-threatening
stimuli (protection response). Since a cell can not move forward and
backward at the same time, a cell can not be in growth and protection at the
same time. At the cellular level, growth and protection are mutually
exclusive behaviors. This is true for human cells as well. If our tissues
and organs perceive a need for protection, they will compromise their growth
behavior. Chronic protection leads to a disruption of the tissue and its
function.
What happens if a cell experiences a stressful environment but does not have
a gene program (behavior) to deal with the stress? It is now recognized that
cells can "rewrite" existing gene programs in an effort to overcome the
stressful condition. These DNA changes are mutations. Until recently, all
mutations were thought to be "random," meaning that the outcome of the
mutation could not be directed. It is now recognized that environmental
stimuli can induce "adaptive" mutations which enable a cell to specifically
alter its genes. Furthermore, such mutations may be mediated by an
organism�s perception of its environment. For example, if an organism
"perceives a stress that is actually not there, the misperception can
actually change the genes to accommodate the "belief."
In conclusion: The structure of our bodies are defined by our proteins.
Proteins represent physical complements of the environment. Consequently,
our bodies are physical compliments of our environment. IMP perception units
in the cell�s membrane convert the environment into awareness.
Reception of environmental signals change protein conformations. The
"movement" generated by protein shape changes is harnessed by the cell to do
"work." Life (animation) results from protein movements which are translated
as "behavior." Cells respond to perception by activating either growth or
protection behavior programs. If the necessary behavior-providing proteins
are not present in the cytoplasm, the IMP perception units can activate
expression of appropriate genes in the cell�s nucleus.
"Perceptions" lie between the environment and cell expression. If our
perceptions are accurate, the resulting behavior will be life enhancing. If
we operate from "misperceptions," our behavior will be inappropriate and
will jeopardize our vitality by compromising our health.
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