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From: dubois@uwmacc.UUCP (Paul DuBois)
Newsgroups: net.origins
Subject: Where the Deer and the Cantaloupe Play
Message-ID: <999@uwmacc.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 28-Apr-85 03:02:33 EDT
Article-I.D.: uwmacc.999
Posted: Sun Apr 28 03:02:33 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 29-Apr-85 07:23:31 EDT
Distribution: net
Organization: UW-Madison Primate Center
Lines: 41


> In article <330@iham1.UUCP> rck@iham1.UUCP writes:
>>
>>
>>         THE SCIENTIFIC CASE FOR CREATION: 116 CATEGORIES OF EVIDENCE
>>
>>    I.  (Life Sciences): THE THEORY OF ORGANIC EVOLUTION IS INVALID.
>>
>>        A.  EVOLUTION HAS NEVER BEEN OBSERVED.
>>
>>            6.  No known mutation has ever produced a form of life  having
>>                both  greater  complexity and greater viability [a,b] than
>>                any of its ancestors [c-f].

> [Stanley Friesen]
> 	Incorrect, mainly because increased viability is a function of
> envitonment. A mutant that is disadvantagous in one enviromnment may
> be advantageous or even necessary in another.  For instance the
> vestigial-wing mutant in fruit flies. This form cannot fly, and under
> standard lab conditions it does not breed well, since "normal" fruit
> flies prefer to mate with other "normal" flies. *But*, when a styeady,
> high wind is present "normal" flies are blown away by the wind; the
> vestigial-wing, flightless flies are *not*, thus they are the *only*
> ones to breed. This is *clearly* greater viability in this environment.

You give an example of a mutation which leads to loss of a
morphological character.  If evolution proceeds on the basis of loss
of function, I would not wish to place much confidence in it.  Where
are the new and useful characteristics?

Also, it would appear that a mutation such as the example given is not
really a serious entry for consideration.  If it was really more
greatly viable, natural selection would result in it being found in
wild form, right?  (Otherwise natural selection doesn't work.)  Is it
found?  I suppose it might be, but since you talk about "standard lab
conditions", I am led to think otherwise...
-- 
                                                                    |
Paul DuBois	{allegra,ihnp4,seismo}!uwvax!uwmacc!dubois        --+--
                                                                    |
"There are two sides to every argument, until you take one."        |