Evolution is Fact

[Moontanman]

Originally Posted by Euclidean-Paradox

I actually saw a show about that on the Discovery Science channel. On the show, one of the things they actually did with these chickens was that by activating certain genes they were able to grow teeth and even fangs .

All right! I want one! Jurassic Park here we come! A miniature carnosaurBe the first on your block to be eaten alive by a chicken with teeth

[HydrogenBond]

Originally Posted by Euclidean-Paradox
I actually saw a show about that on the Discovery Science channel. On the show, one of the things they actually did with these chickens was that by activating certain genes they were able to grow teeth and even fangs .

This is interesting because it implies that although chickens has this genetic capacity, which could make any chicken the queen bee, is not being used. This suggests that only a certain percentage of all the genes available are being used, with that fraction optimized to the environment. Under certain environmental changes these dormant genes might be needed and are there for adaptation. We might extrapolate this to suggest that even if a gene evolves, if it is not needed in that environment it will not become part of outward evolution, unless the environment makes it optimum.

An analogy are a bunch of children playing tag. If there is one child who can run much faster than the rest, this ability takes them out of the game since he is never it, and nobody will bother chasing him. He will need to slow down to be able to play. If he does this enough, he readapts to 2nd gear.

The extra unused genes sort of suggest the needs of the group or species can sometimes supersede the optimization of the individual. A chicken with teeth, fangs and a bad attitude may allow it to be the queen of the coop. But this could have an impact on the species because it could result in a net reduction in the overall population and species community. Evolution may require this extra capacity remain dormant unless it is really needed by the species, as a whole. For example, if the environment changed and a new predator was killing off chickens faster than than a saber tooth chicken, this capacity may be needed, since it will now be helping the species.

[InfiniteNow]

Your entire speculative post assumes that social behavior and dominance is the single driving factor in chicken survival and reproduction.

As we all know, then chickens that taste the best and lay the best eggs for human consumption are the ones which get to pass on their genes.

It has nothing to do with which one is "prom queen" ... erm, "queen bee."


Also, you imply that which genes do and don't get turned on is some sort of conscious decision. I'm not even going to touch the ridiculousness of that suggestion.

[InfiniteNow]

YouTube - Lewis Black - The Devil's Handiwork

[freeztar]

You've gotta love LB.

Thanks for pointing this one out.

[InfiniteNow]

Originally Posted by freeztar

Thanks for pointing this one out.

Try this one on for size.

YouTube - How Evolution REALLY Works

[goku]

Originally Posted by freeztar

Why is it funny?

think of it as if it were blind people testing which light bulb is the brightest

[REASON]

Originally Posted by goku

think of it as if it were blind people testing which light bulb is the brightest

Geez Goku, for someone who has so much ignorant criticism of science, you sure do spend a lot of time hangin' around this science website.

It's almost like you're bi-curious or something. Do your friends know you come here?

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by goku

think of it as if it were blind people testing which light bulb is the brightest

That's how some people think about religion, in general.

Science has the advantage in this case because eyesight obscurity does not impede the investigation. We have four other senses at our disposal.

If you find the science "fishy", then specifically point out what you have an issue with.

[Moontanman]

Originally Posted by freeztar

That's how some people think about religion, in general.

Science has the advantage in this case because eyesight obscurity does not impede the investigation. We have four other senses at our disposal.

If you find the science "fishy", then specifically point out what you have an issue with.

Don't encourage him Freez, I think he questions everything since the flat Earth theory was shown to be false, maybe even that