RE: Evolution!!

Donald Howes (dhowes@ansc.une.edu.au)
Mon, 20 Jul 1998 14:33:12 +1000

>There are scientist here who are so determined to prove evolution true that
>any mutation they come accross they will desperatly try to find an
>enviroment where that would be advantagous. In nature you would need
>selective pressure to make natural selection work to the new beasts
>advantage, but thats not the case in a lab, where they are looking for
>mutations to show that evolution is possible.
>>>
>
>Finding a mutation hardly proves evolution. Furthermore I do not believe
that your >description of how scientists go about research is accurate.

Sorry about sounding harsh toward researchers, I know that they do good
work and they work very hard, but I find it off putting that they often
have a desired result in mind when they go into this research. I have
spoken to some of these guys, and they are wanting to show evolution
through mutation, which is good I guess, otherwise we wouldn't know if it
were possible, but they seem to have made up their minds already, thats
what I find strange.

>
><<The reason that a mutation would be an advantage in spite of selection
>pressure, is that it would prove a point. One that has not been proven yet.>>
>
>I do not understand what you are trying to say here. How can a mutation be
advantageous if it is selected against ?
>

Any mutation that does not cause serious and obvious problems will be
examined to see if there can be any advantage from it. The point I was
trying to make is that they aren't selecting anything, they are looking for
anything new and interesting, with the hopes of being able to say they made
something evolve.

I have a question, do all mutations get passed on to the next generation?

Donald
____________________________________________
Donald Howes
Acting Research Systems Co-ordinator
Research Services
University of New England
Ph 6773 3263

"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the
salvation of everyone who believes" Romans 1:16
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