[ColdWater]

It is only when an intelligent agent (such as a scientist or graduate student) intervenes and “tweaks” the reactions conditions “just right” do we see any progress at all,

Sounds like you almost believe in evolution. At least, what you are saying is identical to the ID theory which upholds the belief in evolution.

[tpanther]

His point is, unless you inject intelligence and/or design into all these evo-experiments, it’s all a transparent failure.

I believe in adaptation. I believe in change over time, but not to the point species make such leaps as Darwin proposes.