Some people , although probably not this audience, may be incapable or unwilling to understand  the following because they are trapped in a religious dogma of  ”gawddidit”.

 First, let’s consider why flu vaccines MUST be changed each year: the flu virus adapts, mutates, changes, EVOLVES from year to year and becomes immune or resistant to the previous year’s vaccine.

Second, let’s consider that scientists  studying the human genome have discovered that certain genes are responsible for certain traits, conditions, and  maladies  in the human population.

“Physical traits are observable characteristics determined by specific segments of DNA called genes. Multiple genes are grouped together to form chromosomes, which reside in the nucleus of the cell. Every cell (except eggs and sperm) in an individual’s body contains two copies of each gene. This is due to the fact that both mother and father contribute a copy at the time of conception. This original genetic material is copied each time a cell divides so that all cells contain the same DNA. Genes store the information needed for the cell to assemble proteins, which eventually yield specific physical traits.

 

Most genes have two or more variations, called alleles. For example, the gene for hairline shape has two alleles – widow’s peak or straight. An individual may inherit two identical or two different alleles from their parents. When two different alleles are present they interact in specific ways. For the traits included in this activity, the alleles interact in what is called a dominant or a recessive manner. The traits due to dominant alleles are always observed, even when a recessive allele is present. Traits due to recessive alleles are only observed when two recessive alleles are present. For example, the allele for widow’s peak is dominant and the allele for straight hairline is recessive.”

 

Other traits with genetic components include hair color, cleft-chin, left, right or bi-handedness, allergies. About 4,000 diseases and disorders have been identified  as having genetic causes, including Huntington’s , MS, some cancers, and perhaps, Alzheimers.
 
Scientist have discovered that some genes do NOT appear to actually cause “anything”.  It was thought for a short while that these genes were mere surplusage, until further scientific testing determined that some genes are “switch ” genes. They don’t themselves cause someone to be left-handed or to develop a disease or disorder, but , rather, when they are activated by hormones , specific proteins, or other chemicals they “switch on”  other genes that then cause the characteristic, mutation, condition or disorder. In  other words, if the “switch” gene is NOT exposed to certain proteins, or hormones,or chemicals —no switch is thrown,  and there will be no action by that or those specific genes which need their switch  or switches to be tripped.

 

Medical researchers in the cancer field have struggled with the fact that cancer cells become immune or resistant to  chemo-therapy. Just recently they have identified one protein that turns on a “gene switch”, that then permits another gene in the cell to develop immunity/resistance. They are now trying to  develop therapies that prevent the protein from affecting the gene.

Now, I suppose  the Judeo-xtian-muslim gawd, or some other earthling’s gawd, could  consciously, purposely —on a nano-second by nano-second basis — be directing the  flu virus to mutate in response to the vaccine, and could— on a nano-second by nano-second basis— be creating the protein to counter the chemo-, and could—on a nano-second by nano-second basis— be consciously and  constantly directing the  Human  characteristics, mutations and disorders.

 But, on the other hand, it could just be EVOLUTION at work..  And given enough time, let’s say 10,000 or a 100,000+ more generations, with humans exposed to hormones, proteins, chemo,  genetically modified products, chemicals,CO2, solar radiation with decrease in ozone levels, and MYRIAD other ENVIRONMENTAL factors, Homo sapiens could mutate, change, adapt, EVOLVE so as to form a new branch  on the Homo limb, not unlike when Homo sapiens , themselves, branched off  from the Homidae and primate limbs so many eons ago.

Or,   Earthlings’ imagined gawd  could just like to and continue  to throw “switches” ad infinitum.

Of course, a gawd, a creator , an intelligent designer could have designed all creatures with an ability to adapt, to mutate, to EVOLVE with changing protein and environmental factors, so that such creator was not required to act on a nano-second by nano-second basis.

But, if that creator, if that designer  created creatures who survived and thrived by slaughtering and consuming other creatures like bacteria do to a host body, like cancer does to a host body, like maggots do, like the lion does to the gazelle, like the Nile Croc does to water buffalo, and like Homo sapiens do to ALL other creatures —and eachother— then why call that creator gawd, when,in fact, that creator would best be  described as a cruel, sadistic, bloodthirsty monstrosity?

“But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no god.It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.”