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The testosterone thread was the best of those three. I did not find much besides speculation that second one. The first was a primer that did not much speak to our issues.

I see in theory how viral transfer, if done to gametes, could speed evolution by reshuffling what is already there. That does not speed up the mutation rate though. Presumably, whatever virii were doing five million years ago is what they are doing now. If they changed our genome fast then, they should change it fast now.

If we know the rate mutations (from radiation, chemicals, virii or whatever source) are being fixed into the entire human population then we can bounce that against number of known differences to get a prediction of the rate of change required.

The problem is we don't know the rate of mutation in any species as it isn't set . It is a random variable and its speed is set by a variety of factors. A virus, a random mutation, or a cancer can cause all sorts of mutations but when all factors act in a short time (several generations) then mutations occur at a higher rate. You also miss a main point Viruses not only reshuffle what is already there they can add genetic material from their own DNA or carry DNA from other creatures.They can also link genes in different ways.

In fact I would even go so far as to suggest if Christians are hunting for GOD they look toward the lowly virus as the architect of most higher lifeforms today. :)

Again rate of mutation is due to environmental factors that cause mutation when all the factors are working at once mutation occurs quickly but when a person says quickly it could mean hundreds or thousands of years.

As you can see no rate of change can be set. If we know all variables that may be possible. I however doubt we as scientists know all factors that can cause mutation yet. The Viral factor in evolution is brand new and there are even more cutting edge hypothesis that may or may not change what we already know.

What kind of links are you looking for I placed links that are easy to understand rather than technospeak that the average reader would fall asleep over?