Is Darwin's Theory Of Evolution True? Part Two

[Metis1]

@edwest, we’re done.

 

[edwest211]

Yep. But we have our God-given creativity to develop equipment and possibly, genetic engineering, to improve our physical and psychological responses to counterbalance the fact that our bodies were not designed for survival in space. But, some of the basic problems will take a long time to solve. That is, unless a much faster way of traveling through space and rotating space stations (like those proposed in the 1940s) and rotating spacecraft habitats are developed.

 

[Metis1]

Why did evolution produce fur-less apes ?

Probably because of our need to sweat in order to reduce body temperature. Apes have oil glands to keep their hair and skin soft, but we have oil-glands that also give off water (“sweat”). Living in the savannas would have been very hot by being exposed to both the African heat and the sun. .

 

[Ender]

The manifestation of DNA to form the phenotype is affected by other factors, such as enzymes, hormones, mutations, and environment

I finally found Denis Noble’s presentation at the Royal Society (Buffalo referred to it earlier), and he does state that organisms do make “A response to the environment that produces an acquired characteristic which is inherited. That is the original definition of one form of Lamarkism.”

It would seem to represent a sea change in our understanding of evolution to suggest that Lamark was right (at least on this particular point). Is this (Noble’s) conclusion one you accept?

 

[LeafByNiggle]

Metis1:

To your point, just because a difference in the genotype is only 2%, what comes out in the phenotype can appear to be greater. However, with that being said, we are in essence a largely hairless large-brained ape.

I wonder just how accurate this claim is. The genetic similarity may be high, but that may not capture where the real differences lie.

Most of the big differences between human and chimpanzee DNA lie in regions that do not code for genes, according to a new study. Instead, they may contain DNA sequences that control how gene-coding regions are activated and read. (Science Daily)

If this is so then it seems a bit misleading to suggest humans differ little from chimpanzees when the real differences lie in other areas of our DNA that were not considered.

The purpose of the observation of DNA is similarity is not to support a claim of similar phenotype, but to support a claim for common ancestry. Similar DNA, even if that DNA codes for nothing in the phenotype, is strong evidence of common descent, which was all that was being argued here.

 

[LeafByNiggle]

Techno2000:

Why did evolution produce fur-less apes ?

Probably because of our need to sweat in order to reduce body temperature. Apes have oil glands to keep their hair and skin soft, but we have oil-glands that also give off water (“sweat”). Living in the savannas would have been very hot by being exposed to both the African heat and the sun. .

There are still primitive tribes in Africa today that survive by “running down” antelope until the antelope collapses because of heat exhaustion. That is clear evidence that getting rid of fur and being able to sweat is a huge survival benefit.

 

[LeafByNiggle]

A biased story is still a biased story. I suggest looking into the drug development process.

It does not seem that you have taken your own advice.

 

[Metis1]

It would seem to represent a sea change in our understanding of evolution to suggest that Lamark was right (at least on this particular point). Is this (Noble’s) conclusion one you accept?

In order for it to be passed on, there would have to be a change in the sex cell(s). However, many things can affect these cells, including radiation, bio-chemical changes, and possibly other causes of mutations.

 

[goout]

Metis1:

For example, the Chad fossil of 6 million years b.p. has so many ape and human characteristics that we have had a hard time classifying it as either

Well, with their minds firmly made up that evolution is a fact, scientists look for “evidence” to support that a priori position.

…

 

[goout]

Metis1:

Techno2000:

Why did evolution produce fur-less apes ?

Probably because of our need to sweat in order to reduce body temperature. Apes have oil glands to keep their hair and skin soft, but we have oil-glands that also give off water (“sweat”). Living in the savannas would have been very hot by being exposed to both the African heat and the sun. .

There are still primitive tribes in Africa today that survive by “running down” antelope until the antelope collapses because of heat exhaustion. That is clear evidence that getting rid of fur and being able to sweat is a huge survival benefit.

Might have helped in the procreative process as well.

 

[Metis1]

There are still primitive tribes in Africa today that survive by “running down” antelope until the antelope collapses because of heat exhaustion. That is clear evidence that getting rid of fur and being able to sweat is a huge survival benefit.

Absolutely, and there’s an Indian group in northern Mexico whereas many of the boys can outrun a quarter-horse over the long haul for that same reason. The irony though as it’s not so much running that’s our biggest advantage in this area but is our walking ability as a young man in good shape can walk for hours at a time even in a relatively hot sun.

 

[Techno2000]

Metis1:

Techno2000:

Why did evolution produce fur-less apes ?

Probably because of our need to sweat in order to reduce body temperature. Apes have oil glands to keep their hair and skin soft, but we have oil-glands that also give off water (“sweat”). Living in the savannas would have been very hot by being exposed to both the African heat and the sun. .

There are still primitive tribes in Africa today that survive by “running down” antelope until the antelope collapses because of heat exhaustion. That is clear evidence that getting rid of fur and being able to sweat is a huge survival benefit.

How did getting rid of the fur help man in cold climates ?

 

[Metis1]

Well, with their minds firmly made up that evolution is a fact, scientists look for “evidence” to support that a priori position.

Again, that’s simply not at all true. There is no “international scientific conspiracy”-- quite the opposite.

Matter of fact, the basic ToE stands to even just plain old common sense, namely that all matter appears to change over time and genes are made up of matter. The “miracle” would truly be if genes did not evolve because they’d be likely the lone exception.

 

[LeafByNiggle]

LeafByNiggle:

Metis1:

Techno2000:

Why did evolution produce fur-less apes ?

Probably because of our need to sweat in order to reduce body temperature. Apes have oil glands to keep their hair and skin soft, but we have oil-glands that also give off water (“sweat”). Living in the savannas would have been very hot by being exposed to both the African heat and the sun. .

There are still primitive tribes in Africa today that survive by “running down” antelope until the antelope collapses because of heat exhaustion. That is clear evidence that getting rid of fur and being able to sweat is a huge survival benefit.

How did getting rid of the fur help man in cold climates ?

By the time man left Africa, he had developed a high enough level of intelligence that he could make clothing out of the skins of other animals. At this point in the development of man, fur is no longer necessary as long as man retains his tools and intelligence.

 

[Metis1]

How did getting rid of the fur help man in cold climates ?

Early human evolution took place, by all indications, in warm/hot climes, which is why we don’t find any early human fossils in more northerly areas. Human movements north appear to not happen until clothes probably were invented as we see tools that appear to specialize for making them. However, clothes (mostly furs) do not fossilize well at all, so we do have to hedge our bets on this.

 

[Techno2000]

Techno2000:

LeafByNiggle:

Metis1:

Techno2000:

Why did evolution produce fur-less apes ?

Probably because of our need to sweat in order to reduce body temperature. Apes have oil glands to keep their hair and skin soft, but we have oil-glands that also give off water (“sweat”). Living in the savannas would have been very hot by being exposed to both the African heat and the sun. .

There are still primitive tribes in Africa today that survive by “running down” antelope until the antelope collapses because of heat exhaustion. That is clear evidence that getting rid of fur and being able to sweat is a huge survival benefit.

How did getting rid of the fur help man in cold climates ?

By the time man left Africa, he had developed a high enough level of intelligence that he could make clothing out of the skins of other animals. At this point in the development of man, fur is no longer necessary as long as man retains his tools and intelligence.

So man tricked random mutations into believing he had fur.

 

[Metis1]

So man tricked random mutations into believing he had fur.

No one can “trick random mutations”-- at least as far as I know. Mutations happen all the time, and if this were not to be true, then geneticists would be solidly opposed to the basic ToE-- except that they’re rather clearly not.

 

[Rau]

So man tricked random mutations into believing he had fur.

Is that an attempt at derision, or are you actually confused? If the latter, set out your thinking, and I’m sure it can be clarified/corrected for you.

 

[Metis1]

Why is it that so many people on these message boards believe that the overwhelming number of scientists who specialize in this area are so ignorant, dishonest, or both?

 

[Ender]

In order for it to be passed on, there would have to be a change in the sex cell(s). However, many things can affect these cells, including radiation, bio-chemical changes, and possibly other causes of mutations.

I guess, but this doesn’t answer my question: can acquired characteristics be inherited, and if they can what does this mean for the Neo-Darwinian theory of evolution?