PROBLEM: Evolution is only a theory

CF explains: Wow, I read the original experiment, but it never really sunk in and now I'm full of questions. I'm completely out of my element here, so these are honest questions.So organisms that are reproduced from a parent without fertilization, like bacteria, are considered clones but they are still capable of mutating? (I'm having difficulty phrasing this - sorry)My understanding of a clone has always been that it was an exact replica of the original. Is this just some movie biology that I've accepted as real; and are the offspring of all organisms that clone themselves capable of mutating from the parent?How does this differ from creatures such as worms or starfish, which if cut in half, can actually grow into two seperate organisms?Also Aspen groves, which I believe are clones of the parent organism, is it possible that some of the individual trees in the grove have mutated from the parent?This is heady stuff. I appreciate any answers, or links, you may be able to provide.

So the sheep Dolly, for example, would she be an exact replica of her parent organism? Or could she have mutations that distinguish her from the parent?This is interesting stuff. I'm going to have to do more research; and thanks for the answers so far.

So how the hell do people have such a hard time not believing in evolution? Amazing.This message has been edited by custard, 05-29-2004 04:08 AM