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To: The Raven
This huge error jumped out immediately:

Moreover, the individual parts of complex structures supposedly serve no function. Because evolution selects only the fittest innovations, useless ones vanish. The odds against a bunch of useless parts lying around at the same time and coming together by chance are astronomical, mathematician and evolution-critic William Dembski of Baylor University correctly notes. emphasis added

For a feature to disappear, evolution must select against it. Selective pressure is a 'negative' in essence. If a feature decreases survival, then that feature is removed from the gene pool. If the feature aids or has no effect on survival, it remains.

Vestigial organs like the appendix are the obvious examples.

But that's what makes the anti-evolution arguments amusing at least, the shocking lack or misapplied knowledge.

10 posted on 02/13/2004 4:04:40 AM PST by Ophiucus
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To: Ophiucus
I beg to differ on one of your points, even though most medical references still refer to the appendix as a "vestigial" organ, there is evidence that it does indeed serve a useful purpose. Studies have revealed that there is a marked increase in the rate of colon cancer in people who have had an appendectomy. It is now believed by some researchers that the reason is that the appendix produces a small amount of a lubricant that protects the bowel tissues from iritation.

If we do not "see" a purpose for something, it doesn't mean it isn't there, it only means we haven't learned enough yet to discover it. The more we learn, the less we really "know".

11 posted on 02/13/2004 4:46:59 AM PST by BB2
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To: Ophiucus
If the feature aids or has no effect on survival, it remains.

Oh?

It would seem like ALL creatures should be literally COVERED with all kinds of INEFFECTUAL 'features' then!!

54 posted on 02/13/2004 9:13:59 AM PST by Elsie (When the avalanche starts... it's too late for the pebbles to vote....)
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