Why Dawkins is wrong | Denis Noble interview

Watch world-famous scientist Richard Dawkins go head-to-head with celebrated biologist Denis Noble as they debate the role of genes over the eons at iai.tv/video/the-gene-machine?utm_source=YouTube&u…

I am glad to see that there are so many comments. The clash of paradigms is important for the advance in science, as Thomas Kuhn wrote in his book on scientific revolutions. Denis Noble has put forward a contrasting and more holistic one to the currently prevailing and highly reductionistic molecular biology. In my opinion, you have to have a basic understanding of systems biology to fully grasp what Denis Noble says. He also gave a good advice to his former student to keep these ideas to himself. If, as a young scientist, you do not stick with the main paradigms of the time, you get no positive reviews and, as a consequence, no funding. Denis Noble now is in a position to do so and he merits all the attention and reflection that he can get.

Denis Noble is so sharp despite his age.

I worked with Professor Noble about 15 years ago as an intern on one of his video production projects. A really interesting man, someone who when he speaks, a room listens. Glad to see he's still going strong and well. If you're reading this (I highly doubt that you are) I hope you're well, and thank you for teaching me so much!

The original Dr WHO has graced us with an interview about the nature of the universe.

Kind of confusing for me... It's been a while, but as I recall Dawkins didn't claim that sequencing the human genome would solve all of our medical problems in his book, "The Selfish Gene." Dawkins' book is a "zoomed-out" general narrative about the complexity of genetic expression leading to speciation in the environment and, as Noble says himself, is probably the best book out there explaining NeoDarwinism.  It seems to me, what we are learning about epigenetic function and environmental impacts expand on Dawkins' thesis and doesn't necessarily contradict any claims he made there... Sure there are details that are off, but the book still works as an excellent and very accessible book on evolution. Other than that, his claims are fairly reasonable (though, general), but I do feel Dawkins got "straw-manned" (I know for certain that Dawkins does not believe that our genetic make up solely determines our behavior). I have to look up the debate/discussion between these two and, hopefully, I'll be able to understand Noble's objections more clearly.

What a treat to listen to Professor Noble!

"When the Facts Change, I Change My Mind. What Do You Do, Sir?". I don't know who said that first, but Dawkins has said it a lot. The gene therapy cures may be in short supply, but we are now coming up with a lot of gene therapy treatments at least. If your disease didn't previously have a treatment then you'd still be very thankful.

How lovely it is simply to listen to such old school Englishmen! One hardly ever hears English being spoken so beautifully these days. And his command of the queen of tongues is the perfect vehicle for his ideas. Truly noble, Mr. Noble.

I think he misrepresents what Dawkins says. What he is saying is the genome isn't a code, I agree. I don't think Dawkins claimed it was any more than a replicator that is selected for its ability to get replicated. There is some genetic determinism, but it is not straightforward, absolute and environment plays apart. I don't think NeoDarwinism is genetic determinism. I don't think anyone imagined medical solutions were going to come out of the sky from sequencing work. I think "genetic determinism " is a strawman. I would love to know if Dawkins ever used the phrase.

A joy to listen to this noble man. Thank you.

I love this channel. It totally challenges me to review my assumptions without degrading logical thought or scientific methodology. THANK YOU.

Very dialectical. This is the kind of talk we need more often. These reality checks.

I absolutely love having access to brilliant minds here on the cyberspace! Listening to Noble and other amazing minds is a real treat and a feast for a hungry mind. Thank you!

Denis is one of those wonderful genuine intellectuals. I knew him 40 years ago at Balliol before his retirement.

Just a couple of minutes into the video and already I'm having to look up words - and that's a good thing! 😊That's part of the value of these uploads. Thank you.

All he is saying is that life is complicated and multi layered with redundancy and there is a lot about it we do not understand. Well yes. However, but we have to start somewhere.

Great interviewer too. Congratulations even if we don’t know who you are. That’s how it’s done sir 🫡

I don't think Dawkins has ever suggested behaviour is determined by genes alone.

Absolutely amazing and illuminating interview! Really well informed and well put questions from the interviewer and obvious genius in the responses - 10/10