Are evolution simulations accurate?

Nice analogy, but let's take it to it's conclusion.We're not trying to explain how the steam engine assembled itself. We're trying to explain where the steal came from, where the water came from, where the wood came from, where the fire came from, how the wood and fire end up in the stove, how the water turns to steam, how the steam drives the wheels.We can find answers to all these things.What's the other solution?"Steam engines are magic."Bad news for you, steam engines aren't mentioned in the Bible. Therefore, they simple don't exist.

I think the problem here is the term "realistic".I take that to mean, "happening normally" outside of the lab.Forget biology for a second, let's talk about something very observable, like simple physics.Is it realistic that two perfectly shaped spheres of differing sizes and masses would fall from the same height at the same time?Is it realistic that a perfect lever would exist balancing a heavy object near to the fulcrum and a lighter object further away?No, but these experiments are done to demonstrate the principles or to better understand that mechanics of simple physics.Would a single colony of fruit flies, all decended from the same parents, be seperated into two groups of equal number, then one of those groups would be blasted with radiation?Unlikely. Does it help us to better understand mutation? Certainly.