Evolution by natural selection is the only workable theory ever proposed that is capable of explaining life, and it does so brilliantly.
Richard Dawkins
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg18725171.500
Wrong again. Hopelessly wrong in fact.
As you learned Dawkins happens to be right about that. Nothing else can explain the observed facts.
Scientists have shown that beneficial mutations do occur to produce brand new alleles (variants of genes) that improve an organism's chances of survival in a particular environment. Natural selection has been demonstrated to increase the frequency of these alleles in a population.
http://www.gate.net/~rwms/EvoMutations.html
That may be so, but we are seeking accounts for the origin of species - and none have been forthcoming as a result of natural selection.
According to your own people, new species, genera, and families evolved as a result of natural selection after the flood.
As I said in a previous post, quite loudly. natural selection CANNOT CREATE NEW SPECIES.
You've been misled about that. For example, disruptive selection led to a very extensive series of speciations of flies in Hawaii. Would you like me to show you again?
DNA is the blueprint. Mutations are damaging to the DNA.
As you learned, earlier, they are often useful and natural selection makes Such mutations more frequent in the population.
How then can this result in the origin of any species?
Reproductive isolation. Even honest creationists admit the fact of speciation. Would you like to see that, again?
And worse, how can damage to the DNA account for the origin of the Cambrian explosion of a zillion new species and other taxa?
Random mutation and natural selection.
From what did they originate?
The rather extensive and worldwide Ediacaran fauna.
This ridiculous 'common ancestor' for which there is no fossil evidence whatsoever?
Surprise.
Can you define random for us please.
Relating to a type of circumstance or event that is described by a probability distribution.
Barbarian chuckles:
Nope. Same as everyone else. "Random" in "random mutations" means that the mutations come in a random manner, and not in response to need. This was demonstrated by Luria and Delbruck, whose separate investigations earned them a joint Nobel.
They got a Nobel for THATTTTT????????!!!!
Yep. Shut down the antiDarwinists who thought mutations were in response to need.
Barbarian observes:
Monod has it wrong. Because most innovations are the result of a number of mutations over a number of generations. So only a certain number of such mutations will be preserved to be further modified the next generation.
You have no proof of this, apart from wishful thinking.
And of course, that process cannot be random, since it's determined by natural selection.
So a Nobel prize winner says loudly 'Yes it's a random process' and barbarian says 'No, it's not.'
Demonstrably not. As you learned, Hall's experiment with bacteria showed that random mutation and natural selection were the way that new features evolve.
Hmmm. Who do we believe then?
The evidence. Surprise.
Answer: If I had my druthers, I'd go for Monod, any time.
Which is why reality keeps smacking you upside the head.
Note the few dissenters dissent for religious, not scientific reasons:
In 1976 Professor Dean Kenyon repudiated the conclusion of his own evolutionary University textbook Biochemical Predestination (1969) which he had co-authored with Gary Steinman. His intensive research of amino acids and DNA caused him to reject Darwin's theory and accept Intelligent Design.
Kenyon is, as you might know, a follower of the religious doctrine of ID, which has as it's stated goal, persuading people of their unique version of God.
Then, in 1985, the atheist, Dr. Allan Rex Sandage, regarded as the greatest observational cosmologist in the world, told an American conference on science and religion that he had become a Christian, declaring:
"It was my science that drove me to the conclusion that the world is much more complicated than can be explained by science ... It was only through the supernatural that I can understand the mystery of existence ... Many scientists are now driven to faith by their very work."
Nice, but I've been a Christian all my life, and a scientists since the late 60s. I'm guessing there's a good reason you didn't cite Sandage on evolution, and I don't think it's because he's a cosmologist with no credentials in biology.
To that list I may add Professor Anthony Flew, once the 'world's most notorious atheist' - a pholosopher - whose about turn from atheism was caused by the information he learned about DNA.
Flew, BTW, was still and evolutionist, and described the evangelical idea of God as a "cosmic Saddam Hussein." You really want to endorse his views?
Well, let's take a look...
Drosophila Miranda, a New Species
Th. Dobzhansky
Genetics. 1935 July; 20(4): 377–391.
I am stunned that you could possibly reference this article, and call it a 'LANDMARK'. I've read it through - and NOWHERE DOES HE CLAIM THAT A NEW SPECIES AROSE BY MUTATION.
No reason to shout. Dobzhansky was one of the founders of the Modern Synthesis, which says speciation happens by random mutation and natural selection. I thought you knew; we discussed that earlier.
Barbarian observes:
Even organizations like the Institute for Creation Research (which has advocated the idea that new species, genera, and families have evolved) and "Answers in Genesis" now admit the fact of speciation.
This is your consistently presented strawman. Have you really read their work?
Not only that, but I discussed the matter in email, with John Woodmorappe, the author of the article. He confirmed that point with me.
Woodmorappe, from another source:
The rapid origin of new species (in thousands of years or less) is not speculation but demonstrated fact, and is not at all a concession to evolution.
http://www.amazon.com/Noahs-Ark-A-Feasibility-Study/dp/0932766412
Let's see some citations please, about them claiming that 'new species, genera, and families have evolved'
Barbarian observes:
And moose are still deer. Genetically and morphologically, fruit flies vary much more than deer.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. But you ever seen a fruitfly becoming a housefly
In Hawaii. Fruitflies managed to get blown in and found empty niches everyewhere. And they evolved to fit into them. Want to learn about that?
How come Dobzhansky didn't produce any such change after ruthlessly irradiating those thousands of generations of those poor fruitflies within an inch of their lives?
For the same reason putting more oil in your car won't make it go faster. You need oil, but adding more won't help.