Some questions about evolution (genetics etc) and possible implications for creationism

[Dan From Smithville]

One has to be careful when measuring relative amounts of DNA and it looks as if your source was not. There are different ways of measuring similarity and if one uses a different method for orangutans than one does for pigs it might look like pigs are ore closely related to us than orangutans are by the numbers without any qualifications. In fact if you scan down to where they get specific about pigs their sources in a scientific one. In other words they screwed the pooch and you need not take all of their claims seriously.

The latter seems to apply to claims frequently made about evolution by creationist websites as well.

 

[Subduction Zone]

The latter seems to apply to claims frequently made about evolution by creationist websites as well.

I think that that site was innocently ignorant. Creationist sites tend to be maliciously ignorant.

 

[YoursTrue]

OK, glad I found this thread because -- I have a question. Can you explain DNA? After you explain DNA (no links, please in your own words, just want to know if you understand it because 'opinions' abound about what it means in terms of evolution .)..Furthermore, after you explain DNA, I have other questions. Thanks.

 

[metis]

OK, glad I found this thread because -- I have a question. Can you explain DNA? After you explain DNA (no links, please in your own words, just want to know if you understand it because 'opinions' abound about what it means in terms of evolution .)..Furthermore, after you explain DNA, I have other questions. Thanks.

Here:

The causes of mutations

Mutations happen for several reasons.
1. DNA fails to copy accurately
Most of the mutations that we think matter to evolution are "naturally-occurring." For example, when a cell divides, it makes a copy of its DNA — and sometimes the copy is not quite perfect. That small difference from the original DNA sequence is a mutation.

2. External influences can create mutations
Mutations can also be caused by exposure to specific chemicals or radiation. These agents cause the DNA to break down. This is not necessarily unnatural — even in the most isolated and pristine environments, DNA breaks down. Nevertheless, when the cell repairs the DNA, it might not do a perfect job of the repair. So the cell would end up with DNA slightly different than the original DNA and hence, a mutation. -- https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/<? echo $baseURL; ?>/mutations_04

 

[Dan From Smithville]

OK, glad I found this thread because -- I have a question. Can you explain DNA? After you explain DNA (no links, please in your own words, just want to know if you understand it because 'opinions' abound about what it means in terms of evolution .)..Furthermore, after you explain DNA, I have other questions. Thanks.

You, with no background or experience in science? You, with your poor track record of science literacy as seen on these forums? You with your agenda to thwart views based on logic, reason and evidence in favor of those based purely on belief? You, with no known education or experience in molecular biology or evolutionary biology?

You are going to TEST others about their knowledge and understanding of DNA and what it means regarding evolution?

 

[Dan From Smithville]

I think that that site was innocently ignorant. Creationist sites tend to be maliciously ignorant.

You have a very good point here.

 

[Subduction Zone]

OK, glad I found this thread because -- I have a question. Can you explain DNA? After you explain DNA (no links, please in your own words, just want to know if you understand it because 'opinions' abound about what it means in terms of evolution .)..Furthermore, after you explain DNA, I have other questions. Thanks.

DNA are little crystalline fairies that flit around in your cells telling everyone that they can grow up to big and strong too. Oh . . . and criticizing those molecules that refuse to brush their teeth after meals.

 

[Yerda]

OK, glad I found this thread because -- I have a question. Can you explain DNA?

Can you elaborate on what you mean by "explain DNA"?

After you explain DNA (no links, please in your own words, just want to know if you understand it because 'opinions' abound about what it means in terms of evolution .)..Furthermore, after you explain DNA, I have other questions. Thanks.

Why don't you start a thread and we can talk about it?

 

[YoursTrue]

Here:

The causes of mutations

Mutations happen for several reasons.
1. DNA fails to copy accurately
Most of the mutations that we think matter to evolution are "naturally-occurring." For example, when a cell divides, it makes a copy of its DNA — and sometimes the copy is not quite perfect. That small difference from the original DNA sequence is a mutation.

2. External influences can create mutations
Mutations can also be caused by exposure to specific chemicals or radiation. These agents cause the DNA to break down. This is not necessarily unnatural — even in the most isolated and pristine environments, DNA breaks down. Nevertheless, when the cell repairs the DNA, it might not do a perfect job of the repair. So the cell would end up with DNA slightly different than the original DNA and hence, a mutation. -- https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/<? echo $baseURL; ?>/mutations_04

OK, thanks for that. I'm not sure I'm speaking about mutations. But let's say I am. Because a child with Down's Syndrome has one extra chromosome if I remember correctly, leading to problems with learning among other things. But that's not my point. Let's take, for instance, a person coming from a family that lives in Africa for hundreds of years, never going out of the country to marry. Had children only within the geographic bounds of the people they were living with. And another family living in Alaska for hundreds of years, same thing -- only producing children among their own -- no 'foreigners.' Does the Alaskan population share similar genes with the African population? That is my question.

I started a thread about this, so hoping the discussion can continue there.
About DNA - (and evolution) | Religious Forums

 

[YoursTrue]

Can you elaborate on what you mean by "explain DNA"?

Why don't you start a thread and we can talk about it?

OK, I did.

 

[YoursTrue]

Can you elaborate on what you mean by "explain DNA"?

Why don't you start a thread and we can talk about it?

OK, I did. About DNA - (and evolution) | Religious Forums

 

[Dan From Smithville]

OK, thanks for that. I'm not sure I'm speaking about mutations. But let's say I am. Because a child with Down's Syndrome has one extra chromosome if I remember correctly, leading to problems with learning among other things. But that's not my point. Let's take, for instance, a person coming from a family that lives in Africa for hundreds of years, never going out of the country to marry. Had children only within the geographic bounds of the people they were living with. And another family living in Alaska for hundreds of years, same thing -- only producing children among their own -- no 'foreigners.' Does the Alaskan population share similar genes with the African population? That is my question.

I started a thread about this, so hoping the discussion can continue there.
About DNA - (and evolution) | Religious Forums

It is expected that there would be some differences, but not enough to prohibit interbreeding.

 

[metis]

OK, thanks for that. I'm not sure I'm speaking about mutations. But let's say I am. Because a child with Down's Syndrome has one extra chromosome if I remember correctly, leading to problems with learning among other things. But that's not my point. Let's take, for instance, a person coming from a family that lives in Africa for hundreds of years, never going out of the country to marry. Had children only within the geographic bounds of the people they were living with. And another family living in Alaska for hundreds of years, same thing -- only producing children among their own -- no 'foreigners.' Does the Alaskan population share similar genes with the African population? That is my question.

I started a thread about this, so hoping the discussion can continue there.
About DNA - (and evolution) | Religious Forums

Most of the genes will be similar to each other, even closer that the roughly 97% correlation we have with the chimpanzees.

 

[YoursTrue]

Most of the genes will be similar to each other, even closer that the roughly 97% correlation we have with the chimpanzees.

Let's say that's true. Since I haven't studied this in depth, I'll go along with it for the moment. But there is a gap between each different type of organism, in other words, the difference evidently makes the difference. Yet chimpanees stay chimpanzees and humans stay humans. Fish stay fish, despite some dna is similar. That small percentage between chimps and humans makes a big difference in looks and abilities.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Let's say that's true. Since I haven't studied this in depth, I'll go along with it for the moment. But there is a gap between each different type of organism, in other words, the difference evidently makes the difference. Yet chimpanees stay chimpanzees and humans stay humans. Fish stay fish, despite some dna is similar. That small percentage between chimps and humans makes a big difference in looks and abilities.

You claim to have studied this in depth, but still the expectation that fish, chimpanzees and humans will magically morph into some other species in a single step within the same individual. Can you explain why you think this? I am familiar with the theory of evolution and the evidence and know of nothing there that would lead one to conclude such a fantastical scenario.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Let's say that's true. Since I haven't studied this in depth, I'll go along with it for the moment. But there is a gap between each different type of organism, in other words, the difference evidently makes the difference. Yet chimpanees stay chimpanzees and humans stay humans. Fish stay fish, despite some dna is similar. That small percentage between chimps and humans makes a big difference in looks and abilities.

Are you aware that evolution is changes in populations over generations and that the ancestral population can exist concurrently with any number of descendant populations. Any of those could also become extinct and replaced by descendants or it is even possible that all the descendant populations could disappear while the ancestral population remains extant. There is no mandate in the theory that demands extinction once a new population evolves.

Regarding this morphing ability, can you site any specific examples of it occurring? I am assuming you are getting the notion from somewhere.

 

[metis]

Yet chimpanees stay chimpanzees and humans stay humans. Fish stay fish, despite some dna is similar.

An obvious rule of thumb: Every material item changes over time and genes and chromosomes are material things, thus proof that evolution must happen.

 

[YoursTrue]

Most of the genes will be similar to each other, even closer that the roughly 97% correlation we have with the chimpanzees.

Thanks for your answer. So--even though I can't figure it out--in other words, see a complete explanation of exactly what it is right now that I understand OR see a photo of the chromosomes--there is that "gap," so to speak, between the animals. I know evolution will explain it as if the items (organisms, plant and animals evolved from one(?) cell, mutated (or something like that), and then formed a more lasting organism. Sometimes, if they weren't destroyed by a cataclysm, but, I'm not convinced of all of that. (Notice I said 'all' of that.)

 

[YoursTrue]

An obvious rule of thumb: Every material item changes over time and genes and chromosomes are material things, thus proof that evolution must happen.

OK, thanks. If you read my previous response (the day is just starting for me) you will see I'm not convinced that all happened as considered by evolutionists. True that chromosomes, etc., are material things, but -- here's the catcher -- life is not a material thing. (Is it, in your opinion?) And isn't that what Jesus spoke about a lot? Life.

 

[metis]

there is that "gap," so to speak, between the animals.

Actually, we are very much an animal.

life is not a material thing. (Is it, in your opinion?)

It is material that combines matter with energy.

And isn't that what Jesus spoke about a lot? Life.

Absolutely. This is why the ToE in no way contradicts what we believe about Jesus and God.

Take care, my friend.