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To: Tribune7
Actually the transition from one-celled organism to a multicelled organism like worms isn't that direct. (a good example of an intermediate would be the Volvox)

I don't see it. Beside, that would be a lot of coincidences to assume they are random occurrances.

These occurrences may be random but they can happen in every individual independently. And since there are many individuals their occurrence isn't that unlikely. Note that the probability for one particular beneficial mutation may be low but in general there are several possible beneficial mutations that can occur to one of those many individuals.

1,240 posted on 08/14/2002 5:06:57 PM PDT by BMCDA
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To: BMCDA
Actually the transition from one-celled organism to a multicelled organism like worms isn't that direct. (a good example of an intermediate would be the Volvox) . . .

Well, that's the theory. I don't think it's been demonstrated, and I'm dubious of it.

1,242 posted on 08/14/2002 5:22:24 PM PDT by Tribune7
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To: BMCDA
These occurrences may be random but they can happen in every individual independently. And since there are many individuals their occurrence isn't that unlikely. Note that the probability for one particular beneficial mutation may be low but in general there are several possible beneficial mutations that can occur to one of those many individuals.

The problem with that is that bad mutations far outstrip the number of beneficial ones. What this means is that the individuals carrying a neutral mutation 'in progress' are highly likely to die as attempts are made to get a beneficial mutation. This destroys the genetic base of mutant genes long before it can accomplish the necessary transformation. Also note that with gradual evolution you have to 'build up' the mutation. In addition to the above problem, it is most likely that a 3rd or 4th mutation will be harmful while the 5 th change would be beneficial but you will never get there because the 3rd or 4th killed off all those that had gotten that far.

So as you can see there are lots of problems with gradual evolution. Sudden transformations do not just 'happen'.

1,246 posted on 08/14/2002 9:23:45 PM PDT by gore3000
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