Oh, the news and finals question 16 (thinking about multicellularity)

 Why Almost All Multicellular Organisms Begin Life as a Single Cell

As soon as one turns around, there is a newsy item that directly relates to a Biofundamentals exam question.  Question 16:   In the context of social slime molds consider i) a cell in your brain to one of your eggs or sperm and ii) a sterile worker mole rate to a queen mole rat.  How is this possible, evolutionarily.  

No cancer, but at what cost?

Based on a paper published in ScienceTranslationalMedicine by Guevara-Aquirre et al on a group of Ecuadorian dwarfs, Nicholas Wade has a very interesting article in the NY Times on the effects of mutation in the growth hormone receptor (GRH) gene on the development of cancer and diabetes - this mutation essentially eliminates both (see also this paper).  Unfortunately, in addition to dwarfism, these mutations are also associated with childhood mortality, death associated with convulsions, and impaired mental function.  All of which serve to inform us that (as Ray Troll would say), there is apparently, no free lunch.  

At the same time, it is probably worth noting in the light of standard scientific/news hype, that this is a highly isolated population, and that it is likely that genetic variations at other genetic loci, are likely to make important contribution - things are likely to become more complex.  This could be, yet another case, of where the "truth wears off."

Thanks to Nicholas Wade for clarification and helpful direction.