[QUOTE]Originally posted by no2creation:
[b]
quote:
Originally posted by Mr BLonDe:
By degenerating..I guess you could call it evolving for the worse. We aren't getting better, bigger, stronger, etc. as the theory of evolution suggests, we are degenerating. Why? Because of sin of man mentioned numerous times in the bible.
[QUOTE]Why do we need to get 'bigger' to show evidence of evolution? We certainly have become smarter, would you not agree? We wouldn't then need to be physically stronger to survive. We have cars now - no need to walk. We have restaurants - no need to hunt for food. We have actually become fairly lazy, but
smarter nonetheless.
Also, where can I find evidence of this human degeneration?
Why do you use the bible to support this degeneration? I could then use the book 'Green Eggs and Ham' by Dr. Suess, to demonstrate evolution taking place in our taste buds. [/B][/QUOTE]
I agree with this reply. In addition, I would like to point out that "beneficial", with regards to mutations, is only relevant in the current environment. I would ask our newcomer to define what "better" means? From an evolutionary standpoint, "better" simply means that you get to pass on your genetic information successfuly.
In addition, what about the 10% of Caucasian people (whose ancestors came from, and therefore survived, regions where the Black Plague happened) with either partial resistance or outright immunity to HIV?
Wouldn't this be considered a VERY beneficial mutation?? I sure think so.
I will quote Mark24's post here from a previous discussion from message #30 at "Human Origins", subtopic "Apes vs. man" because it was so good:
quote:
The "defective" gene has a 32 base pair deletion & about 10% of the caucasian population has that gene. It is a co-dominant gene, meaning if you are homozygous (have two of the mutant genes) you are even better protected against developing full blown AIDS. As Joz says, only 1% ish of caucasians get the double whammy protection (due to homozygosity). This rather puts paid to the idea that HIV/AIDS is a punishment from God, when there's a protection passed on genetically, itself subject to the random vagaries of mate selection.
The gene is very rare in other races, meaning the 32 base pair deletion occurred after the migration from africa. It is thought that the genes relatively high frequency could not be a result of AIDS, but must be a result of selective pressure due to other pathogens.
[This message has been edited by schrafinator, 04-10-2002]
[This message has been edited by schrafinator, 04-10-2002]
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