cells Review Non-Random Genome Editing and Natural Cellular Engineering in Cognition-Based Evolution William B. Miller, Jr. 1,* , Francisco J. Enguita 2 and Ana Lúcia Leitão 3 1 Banner Heath Systems, Phoenix, AZ 85006, USA 2 Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal;
[email protected] 3 MEtRICs, Department of Sciences and Technology of Biomass, NOVA School of Science and Technology, FCT NOVA, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal;
[email protected] * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +1-602-463-5236 Abstract: Neo-Darwinism presumes that biological variation is a product of random genetic replica- tion errors and natural selection. Cognition-Based Evolution (CBE) asserts a comprehensive alterna- tive approach to phenotypic variation and the generation of biological novelty. In CBE, evolutionary variation is the product of natural cellular engineering that permits purposive genetic adjustments as cellular problem-solving. CBE upholds that the cornerstone of biology is the intelligent measuring cell. Since all biological information that is available to cells is ambiguous, multicellularity arises from the cellular requirement to maximize the validity of available environmental information. This is best accomplished through collective measurement purposed towards maintaining and optimizing individual cellular states of homeorhesis as dynamic flux that sustains cellular equipoise. The col- lective action of the multicellular measurement and assessment of information and its collaborative communication is natural cellular engineering. Its yield is linked cellular ecologies and mutualized Citation: Miller, W.B., Jr.; Enguita, niche constructions that comprise biofilms and holobionts.