Darwin - Half Right

[timf]

Darwin had two theories that he thought worked in concert. The first was a theory that postulated through mutations that new genetic information was being added to life forms continuously. The second thesis was that because these differences would also differ in survivability, those that were unsuited would become extinct. To him this represented a continuing "upward" evolution of life.

The second theory seems supported by evidence that we are losing genetic information as species become extinct.

However in the 150 years since Darwin first presented his ideas, no one has observed a favorable mutation in a plant or animal. Mutations do occur such as with cancer and tumors. However, for a favorable mutation one would need millions of coincidental changes to all take place at the same time and in a reproductive cell so that those changes could be passed on.

 

[Brihaha]

I saw an animal documentary about vultures down in South America. They ride on thermal updrafts without needing to flap their wings. The wings have evolved over time, with missing feathers on the ends to allow air to get thru, reducing drag on the wings. All species evolve over time or they become extinct. Especially when temperatures are increasing across the earth. Peace

 

[MIDutch]

To him this represented a continuing "upward" evolution of life.

Citation needed.

There is no "upward" in evolution.

 

[Frank Robert]

Darwin had two theories that he thought worked in concert. The first was a theory that postulated through mutations that new genetic information was being added to life forms continuously.

Can you point claims that Darwin made about "genetic information?"

The second thesis was that because these differences would also differ in survivability, those that were unsuited would become extinct. To him this represented a continuing "upward" evolution of life.

The second theory seems supported by evidence that we are losing genetic information as species become extinct.

That sounds like "genetic entropy" which is a creationist hypothesis by Drs. Rob Carter and John Sanford that has not been well defined or defended.

However in the 150 years since Darwin first presented his ideas, no one has observed a favorable mutation in a plant or animal. Mutations do occur such as with cancer and tumors. However, for a favorable mutation one would need millions of coincidental changes to all take place at the same time and in a reproductive cell so that those changes could be passed on.

Check out Lenski's LTEE
One evolutionary biologist has been growing bacteria for 30 years.
His epic experiment shows that evolution never stops.

 

[The IbanezerScrooge]

However in the 150 years since Darwin first presented his ideas, no one has observed a favorable mutation in a plant or animal. Mutations do occur such as with cancer and tumors. However, for a favorable mutation one would need millions of coincidental changes to all take place at the same time and in a reproductive cell so that those changes could be passed on.

This is unequivocally false.

 

[Gene2memE]

Nature disagrees with you OP.

Lizards Undergo Rapid Evolution After Introduction To A New Home

 

[renniks]

Can you point claims that Darwin made about "genetic information?"

That sounds like "genetic entropy" which is a creationist hypothesis by Drs. Rob Carter and John Sanford that has not been well defined or defended.


Check out Lenski's LTEE
One evolutionary biologist has been growing bacteria for 30 years.
His epic experiment shows that evolution never stops.

I saw an animal documentary about vultures down in South America. They ride on thermal updrafts without needing to flap their wings. The wings have evolved over time, with missing feathers on the ends to allow air to get thru, reducing drag on the wings. All species evolve over time or they become extinct. Especially when temperatures are increasing across the earth. Peace

That's simple adaptation. Not new genetic information.

 

[AV1611VET]

As I understand it, evolution was hotly debated for centuries before Darwin came along.

I even believe the fallen angels experimented with it in Genesis 6.

It finally hit a brick wall in the mid nineteenth century though and stalled.

Enter Charles Darwin, who [ahem] "discovered" the breakthrough technology: natural selection.

And evolution started moving forward again in leaps and bounds from there.

 

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

That's simple adaptation. Not new genetic information.

By your standards, what makes the difference between adaptation and new genetic information? Give us an example if you can.

 

[renniks]

By your standards, what makes the difference between adaptation and new genetic information? Give us an example if you can.

Well, the network that makes us human for example, would take a lot more than random genetic mutations, to get from primate to man. Any significant change in body structure or brain structure would require the reprogramming of the whole system. It's not as simple as changing a few letters or numbers. Each cell has millions of actively operating RNA and protein molecules. Layer upon layer of information more complex than any computer we can come up with. To believe they somehow came about by trial and error is absurd.

Add that to the fact that there are very rarely truly beneficial mutations.

 

[MIDutch]

As I understand it, evolution was hotly debated for centuries before Darwin came along.

I even believe the fallen angels experimented with it in Genesis 6.

I really hope this is sarcasm.

Or is AV really a Poe?

 

[AV1611VET]

I really hope this is sarcasm.

Or is AV really a Poe?

You should know, shouldn't you?

Didn't you say this:

I've been debating creationists for going on 10+ years on "debate" boards such as this,

Post 1330

 

[dlamberth]

As I understand it, evolution was hotly debated for centuries before Darwin came along.

I even believe the fallen angels experimented with it in Genesis 6.

It finally hit a brick wall in the mid nineteenth century though and stalled.

Enter Charles Darwin, who [ahem] "discovered" the breakthrough technology: natural selection.

And evolution started moving forward again in leaps and bounds from there.

For the past 4.5 Billion years, evolution has never stopped. On Earth, it started with an evolving planet and continued evolving when life forms began appearing and so forth onto today and will continue to the future, evolution has never stalled.

 

[AV1611VET]

For the past 4.5 Billion years, evolution has never stopped. On Earth, it started with an evolving planet and continued evolving when life forms began appearing and so forth onto today and will continue to the future, evolution has never stalled.

That's nice.

 

[dlamberth]

I really hope this is sarcasm.

Or is AV really a Poe?

AV is not a Poe. He writes what he believes. He's very honest in that way.

 

[dlamberth]

That's nice.

It is, isn't it.

 

[AV1611VET]

AV is not a Poe. He writes what he believes. He's very honest in that way.

Every once in awhile, I slip a doosey in!

Like this one, about the earth changing poles:

It it does again, we Christians will probably get the blame for it.

Just like we did in AD 58, when it flipped, and Nero blamed us for it:

Acts 17:6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

Notice prior to AD 58, Jesus' parents lived in Galilee.

Luke 2:39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

And notice how they got to Jerusalem:

Luke 2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

Today, you go down to Jerusalem from Galilee, since Galilee is some 80 miles north of Jerusalem.

 

[Ponderous Curmudgeon]

I really hope this is sarcasm.

Or is AV really a Poe?

Depends on your interpretation of his A E Newman avatar.

 

[The IbanezerScrooge]

Well, the network that makes us human for example, would take a lot more than random genetic mutations, to get from primate to man.

Humans are primates.

Any significant change in body structure or brain structure would require the reprogramming of the whole system.

No, not really. Google HOX genes.

And you know that fully formed individual organisms don't evolve. The changes in structure you're alluding to happen in development due to mutations in germline cells. Those that "require[d] the reprogramming of the whole system" would likely lead to death of the developing embryo and therefore would not get passed on. The mutations that were small and incremental allowing the organism to survive and reproduce got passed on. It's basically a survivor bias. It's Natural Selection.

 

[Subduction Zone]

That's simple adaptation. Not new genetic information.

How do you know that?