Mutations Harmful There is consensus among Evolutionists that mutations are harmful. Fried "We have to face one particular fact, one so peculiar that in the opinion of some people it makes nonsense of the whole theory of evolution. Although the Biological theory calls for incorporation of beneficial variants in the living populations, a vast majority of the mutants observed in any organism are detrimental to welfare. Some are lethal, causing incurable diseases or deaths. Others are sub-lethal killing off or incapacitating most of the carriers but allowing some to escape. Still others are sub-vital, damaging health, resistance or vigor in a variety of ways."
This is the leave well-enough alone thought. Mutations are changes, some are good and some are not so good. The really bad ones don't generally get past the filtering process of sexual reproduction, although every couple of months I see some local feature about a two headed cow or six toed cat. Most mutations are too subtle to be easily noticed, they result in some little feature, like sweating more than normal, or stronger stomach acid or something. Mutations which make it into the genome tend to be recessive. They are there and they accumulate, and they show up once in awhile as the runt of the litter or some other variation.
It is a disadvantage to be different for most members of most species. That's why DNA reproduction has so many safeguards. It is only in the times of great catastrophe and change that the "fringe" members may find their difference to be beneficial. TP |