Re: Evolution debate

Karen L Johnson (botanist1@juno.com)
Sat, 7 Mar 1998 09:40:01 -0600

On Fri, 6 Mar 1998 15:04:31 -0800 (PST) Greg Billock
<billgr@cco.caltech.edu> writes:
in what sense does the 'Eve Hypothesis' deny that species arise from
populations?

The Eve Hypothesis states that modern Homo Sapiens can be traced back to
one female in Africa.

Essentially, its fallacy arises from the misunderstanding that a species
can arise from mutation in a single individual. Population genetics
demonstrates that single mutations do not effect populations. A mutation
must occur in a significant number of the effective reproductive
population to become significant.

This does not disregard Founder Effect potentials. however, Homo was too
dispersed -- and the transition too gradual -- to have arisen from a
single point source.

Karen.

_____________________________________________________________________
You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com
Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]