[Thatcherite]

You are a little off regarding inherited diseases, however. Something such as congenital syphilis is not genetically inherited. Rather, it is a result of the child being directly infected in utero. Remove the pathogen and future progeny won't be infected. Other heritable maladies, such as sickle cell anemia, actually are a genetic predisposition that is passed on to future generations. These, however, are genetic defects, not pathogenic infections.

Out of interest, how many diseases must the passengers on the ark have been carrying? Given that we are supposedly all descended from them, and that those who believe in the ark tend to deny large-scale evolution... ;)

[Antonello]

Out of interest, how many diseases must the passengers on the ark have been carrying? Given that we are supposedly all descended from them, and that those who believe in the ark tend to deny large-scale evolution... ;)

I generally tend to steer clear of theological or philosophical musing on science threads, but as long as you brought it up to me....

Extending your implication that the flood did occur, and there was an ark, what makes you discount that the ancestors to today's diseases couldn't have been waterborne, or at least hitched rides on aquatic hosts?

[furball4paws]

Mark Twain had some fun comments on this, but bugs are often quite resistant and long lived, so it might not be necessary for all of Noah's family to be a walking petri dish.