[muawiyah]

The point is that it doesn't seem to be mutations at all that result in serious changes in the genome ~ rather, it's reshuffling of existing genes, or replications of existing genes, that bring about the greatest degree of change.

Viable mutations are, to say the least, rare!

[A. Pole]

The point is that it doesn't seem to be mutations at all that result in serious changes in the genome ~ rather, it's reshuffling of existing genes, or replications of existing genes, that bring about the greatest degree of change.

I think that this information has a structure analogical to the object oriented languages with encapsulation, polymorphism and inheritance. That is why the evolution can go so fast and that is why it goes in mysterious bursts.

Also there is some degree of ecosystem interspecies cooperation - the new genes can be shared and distributed.

At least part of the evolutionary process is not controlled by the DNA, DNA can be used as the common library from which different processes can pick needed functions. The state of the switches can be passed from one generation to another.

The acquired traits might be inherited. Imported genes or new solutions can be written back into DNA.

I could go on. My main point is that we know very little and that crude dice throwing model is not sufficient. If science is not murdered by free market commercialization, by political correctness and conformism or by erosion of the Christian principles on which the science rests we will see more amazing and surprising discoveries.