[orionblamblam]

> And yet while the sequence of GTAC base pairs in a virus is essentially indistinguishable from a random sequence, only the sequence of genes, with few variations, found in the virus will result in an operational virus.

And why is this a problem? If the original DNA sequence - say, four base pairs long - was survivable and replicable, then it would survive. If it was not survivable, it would fall apart. Those that survived had the opportunity to add new information, mutate and evolve. Those mutations that hinder lead to the organism dying. There is no "mind" or "design" or "intent" required. Just random mutations and natural selection.

The logic is quite simple and elegant, even though I might not express it as well as others.

[cornelis]

There is no "mind" or "design" or "intent" required. Just random mutations and natural selection.

[cornelis]

There is no "mind" or "design" or "intent" required. Just random mutations and natural selection.

Six of one half a dozen of the other, as my ma used to say.

Actually, Darwin wanted to argue that matter had the design in itself. Selection was a design process that he wanted to transfer over from divine causality to material causality. Smart matter, that is. Otherwise selection and fitness are borrowed terms that lose meaning.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Would you mind taking the trouble to answer a few elementary questions?

What causes a mutation? Is it a flaw, a malfunction, randomness, or what?

Is survival of the fittest a key part of ToE?

If so, what does fittest mean? Does that mean the survivors are the best overall of a particular species or organism, or just the ones that happened to have survived the particular occurring phenomena? (By that I mean if we have bacteria in a petri dish and add an antibiotic which kills most of them but not all, does that mean the survivors ordain the best future for that strain of bacteria, or only that they were superior to the others in the presence of that particular antibiotic but otherwise not as robust? Same with dinosaurs, etc.)

If this is so elementary as to detract from the discussion, please ignore it.