Ultimately, we know that these ERVS are passed down through inheritance because we observe that they are. And IF they were similarly passed down between species through common ancestry, a nested hierarchy is expected and required. And we observe that, too.
Sorry, there is simply no comparative evidence that most of these sequences are of ancient viral origin and apparently as we see in post 29 there are some scientists beginning to question some of these assumptions as well.
Of course these sequences are passed down by inheritance because they are part of the host-parent genome, but that shows us nothing of the elusive ancestor of the gaps. Also, nested hierarchies are a humanly devised convention of convenience (to group items by similar qualities or characteristics does not demonstrate lineage). The lineal assumptions are not actual truth.
But without diverting into that separate discussion how about demonstrating an actual ancient virus we have analyzed that shows one of these original "insertions" in the ancestor of the gaps creature (even before the mutations that may or may not have happened). Please...if you cannot it is okay to be honest.
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