Changing One Gene Launches New Fly Species

Science Daily ^ | 08 December 2003 | Staff

[PatrickHenry]

Speciation observed. Another gap vanishes. Everybody be nice.

[PatrickHenry]

PING. [This ping list is for the evolution side of evolution threads, and sometimes for other science topics. FReepmail me to be added or dropped.]

[Hemingway's Ghost]

DAMN. What else will they come up with these days?

[camle]

that's all we need. a bunch taxpayer funded scientiists creating more bugs to infest the worl. YEESH!

[Nonstatist]

Evolution theory is credible after all! I knew it.

[RadioAstronomer]

Way cool! :-)

[<1/1,000,000th%]

But it didn't turn into a fish!

;)

[DallasMike]

Just what the world needs -- another fly.

As an agnostic on macro-evolution (lizards changing into bunny rabbits) I'm not too impressed. However, as one who recognizes the existence of small changes (one type of fly becoming another type of fly), it was a well-done experiment. Kudos to the experimenters.

I'm a scientist who believes that God created the universe. If He chose to use evolution then that's fine by me. I know the Who and Why behind the universe but agree that it takes science to discover the How. Evolution neither proves nor disproves the existence of God, and vice versa.

[PatrickHenry]

But it didn't turn into a fish!

Other responses which are anticipated from the denial crowd:

1. It's a designed experiment. That proves ID!
   
2. It's a lie!
   
3. It hasn't speciated yet!
   
4. Blasphemy!
   
5. They're interpreting it through their naturalistic worldview.
   
6. How dare you use the screen name "Patrick Henry"?
   
7. Yeah, but "get your own dirt!"

[templar]

Seeing as how this was done deliberately by direct intelligent intervention, wouldn't it be more supportive of intelligent design than evolution?

[PatrickHenry]

Right. I should have included "It's not macro evolution!" to my list.

[Cronos]

Pretty interesting -- there is more variation between different Aricans? North Africa has Arabs, Berbers, Moors.
West Africa has Bantu tribes, East has Somali, Ethiopian while the Nubians are different. South aFrica has the Bushen and there are Pygmies int he West.

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.

Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.

[pepsi_junkie]

Speciation observed. Another gap vanishes. Everybody be nice.

Techniclly, I dont think this is true. From the text:

...the two groups of flies are not only fit for different environments but may also be on their way to sexual isolation, a crucial divide in the emergence of a new species.

This proved that a small genetic change (somehow occurring, either by direct intervenion or perhaps by random mutation) will change the characteristics within a species. As far as I can tell, they may still interbreed. Even the scientists hedge by saying they have seen the first step in the proces of speciation only. Progress indeed. But for it to lead somewhere, they need to prove that eventually they can create different species altogether (i.e. unable to interbreed).

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[laotzu]

"..more supportive of intelligent design than evolution?"

Exactly right! Well said.

I don't remember Darwin mentioning a gene splicing machine in his theory.

[Independentamerican]

Playing god is what they are doing.

[Hegewisch Dupa]

I’m kinda bummed you ran out of banality before you hit the tradition Top Ten quota

[VadeRetro]

Glad I didn't miss this one in all the hubbub elsewhere. One for the bookmarks!

[js1138]

A fish is a dish is a Gish, if that's what you wish.