Page 66 - Summer2008

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single symbol. This will make the two symbols (solid and broken) become STRANGE CONCLUSIONS
four symbols (solid-solid, solid-broken, broken-solid, broken-broken) and Olree’s theory leads to some very strange
thus analogous to the four DNA bases (A, G, C, T) and will make the six conclusions. For example, the RNA codon UGG
single lines of the hexagram become three line pairs and thus analogous to codes for the amino acid tryptophan and is asso-
the three nucleotides of the codon. But this maneuver simply manipulates ciated with the “subatomic mineral” marconium,
2
the I Ching into something it is not. the 6:00 PM regeneration of the kidney meridian,
Moreover, the DNA code is redundant. Although there are 64 codons, and the cervical disc 7, which itself is associated
they collectively code for only 21 meanings. Sixty-one of them code for the with the nerve connected to the thyroid gland.
twenty amino acids that are incorporated into proteins and three of them Olree thus concludes that the thyroid gland falls
3
act as stop signals. By contrast, each hexagram of the I Ching has its own under the energy  eld of the kidney and that,
meaning and each mineral of the Russell table is unique. since the thyroid gland consumes a great deal
Both the structure of DNA and the redundancy of the genetic code of iodine, iodine is the most important element

make it especially difcult to gure out where in the biological process for kidney function. Most other practitioners or
these minerals t in. DNA exists as a double-stranded twist where all of researchers would set out to test the ability of

the codons have their binding sites connected to the codons of the opposite treating the kidney to normalize thyroid function
strand. The binding patterns are dependent on the individual nucleotides, or the ability of iodine to normalize kidney func-
however, and not on the full codon. A always binds to T and C always binds tion before they would draw such a conclusion.
to G. A-T and C-G are the only two binding patterns in DNA. If minerals Olree’s strangest conclusions concern the
were to somehow t between these bases without completely disrupting minerals selenium and yttrium—these are also

the structure of DNA, there would be room only for two, not for 64. When two of the minerals whose dietary importance

the cellular machinery makes a protein from DNA, it rst makes a copy he emphasizes the most, both in the book as
1
of messenger RNA (mRNA). The synthesis of the mRNA molecule is conveyed by Walters and in his own talks. His
dependent on the same type of base-pairing that occurs within the DNA own chart ties the stop codon UGA to yttrium.
molecule itself, so again there is no room for 64 different minerals in the Modern science, however, has tied it to selenium.
process. Protein-producing machines called ribosomes then read the mRNA Olree thus concludes that selenium is only used
transcript and molecules called transfer RNAs (tRNAs) act as forklifts that for the stop codon as a backup mineral when
bring the appropriate amino acid to the ribosome at the appropriate time yttrium is de cient, implying that we are suffer-
so the ribosome can connect the amino acids together and make a protein. ing from a widespread yttrium de ciency. Yet
Each tRNA molecule has an “anti-codon” that corresponds to one or more modern science has not tied selenium to the stop
codons of the mRNA, but there are not 64 tRNAs; there are only 20, each codon; rather, it has shown that the UGA codon
one corresponding to one of the 20 amino acids. Thus, it makes little sense when adjacent to certain selenium insertion
3
that the codons of the mRNA molecule would require 64 different minerals sequences can code for the modi ed amino acid
to interact with 20 different tRNA anti-codons. selenocysteine instead of the stop site. Olree
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Moreover, the nature of biology is to conservatively utilize the least seems completely unaware of the fact that every
number of patterns possible. For example, a basic zinc-requiring nger- single selenoprotein in the body incorporates

shaped pattern called a “zinc nger motif” repeats itself over and over selenocysteine in this manner. He is adamant that
again in molecules that interact with DNA, rather than each molecule selenium must be taken in as selenomethionine,
4

requiring a different mineral to make the nger. There are thousands of which often occurs in plants and plays no known
proteins that incorporate zinc because of its unique structural utility, but role in the animal body, but makes no mention
other minerals like aluminum are not known to coordinate the structure of selenocysteine, the form commonly found in
of any proteins because their properties are less useful or even harmful. animal foods like liver. 5

Olree’s theory, by contrast, posits the use of 64 different minerals to fulll In addition to his speculation that selenium’s
very similar or identical functions within a single system and thus violates connection to the UGA codon is a result of yt-
the basic principles of how biological systems are designed. trium deciency, Olree also discovered “clear

64 Wise Traditions SUMMER 2008