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Quality Control and Quality Assurance in the Cell

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A thoughtful reader from Ohio, Professor Dean Bruckner, writes to us with an interesting comment about yesterday’s post on "quality control" procedures in the cell, which are so intriguingly reminiscent of those in human industry. Though we referred to quality control (QC), Dr. Brucker, who teaches industrial and systems engineering, points out there’s even more to it:

Very good article, but it seems your understanding of Quality Control (QC) could be sharpened by considering the companion role of Quality Assurance (QA). These two work in tandem. QA sets up a forward-looking system to prevent defects, and QC fulfills the rearward-looking parts of the system meant to detect and remove defects. Your article suggests both are active in the cell. Any quality engineer would notice this omission, and your presentation of this fascinating reality would be strengthened by including it.

I’m teaching a graduate level course in Quality Systems just now, and I may be able to use this article as an example. Thanks!

Nice. It’s always satisfying to receive a correction that implies you’re even more right than you thought you were! If the presence of QC is suggestive of design, so much more the presence of QA as well.

Bruckner also sends along a useful post on the "Difference Between QA and QC" for you non-systems engineers out there.

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Image source: smcgee/Flickr.

David Klinghoffer

Senior Fellow and Editor, Evolution News
David Klinghoffer is a Senior Fellow at Discovery Institute and the editor of Evolution News & Science Today, the daily voice of Discovery Institute’s Center for Science & Culture, reporting on intelligent design, evolution, and the intersection of science and culture. Klinghoffer is also the author of six books, a former senior editor and literary editor at National Review magazine, and has written for the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Seattle Times, Commentary, and other publications. Born in Santa Monica, California, he graduated from Brown University in 1987 with an A.B. magna cum laude in comparative literature and religious studies. David lives near Seattle, Washington, with his wife and children.

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