The purpose of reverse transcriptase

When asking about the design purpose of reverse transcriptase, we are not asking about side effects. After all, it is not the design purpose of a motor vehicle to run over rabbits even if there is a plague of rabbits and squishing them is of benefit to us. No. Let us, as was asked, look first at WHAT REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE DOES, IN THE CONTEXT OF VIROLOGY. Why is it there in the genomes of retroviruses? Only then can we ask ourselves if it is sensible to suppose that it was designed into them by a benevolent designer to do what it does.

Reverse transcriptase acts on a retroviral RNA genome, in which it is itself encoded, to produce a DNA version of the same genome. We call this DNA version a "provirus". The provirus then goes on to become integrated with the nuclear DNA of a host cell. Without this function, retroviruses could not induce the host cell to re-transcribe the DNA of the provirus back into RNA to continue the viral replication cycle. Reverse transcriptase is an essential part of the viral genome so we can say, metaphorically, that its "purpose" is to act as part of that cycle, to make more viruses.

Now, one could say that reverse transcriptase, like anything whatsoever, was designed. But in the case of, say, HIV, we could only say that if designed, it came about by an unfortunate accident or that the supposed designer, instead of being incompetent, was malign.

In any case, any supposed design intention or lack of it does not alter the fact that ERVs prove common ancestry. The same applies to the other features of retroviruses listed in the questions.

"The reverse transcriptase is an amazing molecular machine of 1000 amino acids in two complimentary chains. It takes the RNA from the virus and reverses it into DNA. (Though other proteins are also needed to work as a team) If you imagine what must be required to accomplish this task you realize this protein machine, reverse transcriptase WAS PURPOSEFULLY Designed. Research has shown just getting a protein of less than 200 amino acids is so improbable as to be 1 chance in 10^77 against it. A protein 5 times that length is beyond chance. So you can be assured reverse transcriptase IS the produce of intelligent design.

Of course Barry wants to be the theologian who disagrees that a good God would make such a machine. If Barry stopped insulting me and calling me a liar he wouldn't be suspended from the group for a month. He could wax eloquent with his ideas about God. There are beneficial characteristics in viruses. They also mutate quickly and can cause HIV. I'll ask God someday why his creation sometimes goes rogue."

Your lie I caught you out with was saying that six independent env protein exadaptations were required in forming placentae. You have now conveniently erased evidence of this lie. I regret that I did not record it. I am more used to dealing with people of integrity and it did not occur to me that I should.

Your argument from personal incredulity/ignorance does not address the fact that reverse transcriptase is used by retroviruses to integrate with host DNA and where it has done in germline DNA, it proves common ancestry between different "kinds" of creatures.

As I said, and you ignore the fact, even if it was designed by the intelligent designer spotters' unidentifiable flying intelligent designer, it makes no difference to the proof. It still authenticates common ancestry.

My father was a combat aircraft pilot. When being attacked, pilots would release "chaff" - thousands of strips of foil to try and confuse the homing radar of anti-aircraft missiles. A similar thing is done with ships under attack when they create smoke-screens. But tactics like this do not work in this case. It is clear that all you are doing is ducking and diving, wriggling and squirming because you cannot face the plain and simple truth. 

Steven K, please accept my friend request so we can avoid all this silliness and communicate directly. I would really like to understand what is your motivation in all this.