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Author Topic:   Does the Darwinian theory require modification or replacement?
Meddle
Member (Idle past 1296 days)
Posts: 179
From: Scotland
Joined: 05-08-2006


Message 295 of 760 (612201)
04-13-2011 7:08 PM
Reply to: Message 286 by shadow71
04-13-2011 12:00 PM


Re: Is phenotypic plasticity magic?
I was under the impression that Darwin and the "neo-Darwinists" and the current modern theories did not recognize that evolution is sensitive, that cells directed movements of their parts, that the plant cells contains "brains".
As I understand it the plant meristem produces chemicals called auxins which promote cell growth and elongation. What is interesting about auxins is that they degrade in the presence of light, so the side of the plant nearest a light source experiences reduced growth compared to the side in the shade. Consequently, this asymmetrical growth causes the stem to bend towards the light source. At least that's how I remember it when I learned it in standard grade Biology in about 1993. I fail to see the intelligence in this scenario.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 286 by shadow71, posted 04-13-2011 12:00 PM shadow71 has seen this message but not replied

Meddle
Member (Idle past 1296 days)
Posts: 179
From: Scotland
Joined: 05-08-2006


Message 667 of 760 (622505)
07-04-2011 9:26 AM
Reply to: Message 664 by Percy
07-04-2011 7:02 AM


Re: Natural Engineering
It would also seem that Wright was quote mining Dobzhansky:
IN THE LIGHT OF EVOLUTION-"The most serious objection to the modern theory of evolution is that since mutations occur by 'chance' and are undirected, it is difficult to see how mutation and selection can add up to the formation of such complex and beautifully balanced organs as, for example, the human eye. It would indeed strain credulity to suppose that a lucky sudden combination of chance mutations produced the eye in all its perfection in the offspring of an eyeless creature; it is the result of an evolutionary development that took millions of years. Along the way the evolving rudiments of the eye passed through innumerable stages, all of which were useful to their possessors.-Theodosius Dobzhansky"
This article is not the same as the one cited by Wright, but is a reappraisal of the 1950 Scientific American Article. Note the bolded section that was omitted by Wright which makes it clear that Dobzhansky was arguing against the idea of the human eye appearing fully formed from an eyeless precursor.

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Meddle
Member (Idle past 1296 days)
Posts: 179
From: Scotland
Joined: 05-08-2006


Message 750 of 760 (637028)
10-12-2011 10:15 PM
Reply to: Message 744 by shadow71
10-11-2011 7:29 PM


Re: Mayr and Darwinian model of evolution
If he is incorrect doesn't this in fact support this thread?
"Does the Darwinian theory require modification or replacement?"
That depends, do you think Shapiro or Wright are suggesting that genetic information is being transmitted from proteins to nucleic acid, and if so can you quote the relevant data?

This message is a reply to:
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