Quote Originally Posted by Moonbeam View Post
Well, that was the only example I could think of. It is kind of like adding, because the original gene is maintained and the copies are free to evolve.

Maybe there are other examples; I'll have to try to find some.

Oh, I thought of one--viruses. Viruses, when they infect a cell, insert their genome into the host's. I think there are theories about viruses and their effects on evolution; it's been a while since I read about that and I can't remember the details. I think there are remnants of viral material in higher organisms' DNA. There is a theory that transposons, which move genetic material around the genome, may be the ancestors of viruses. They had to have evolved after more complex organisms did, since they cannot live without them.

If you limit it to bacteria, they are capable of picking up free genetic material in the environment. That's how they can sometimes pick up genes for resistance to certain antibiotics, and other things. So that is pretty obviously adding information.

I'm sure with a little reading we could find more (and probably better) examples. I'll look.

I don't know if epigenetics is a good example, because that is really just different expression or repression of genes that are there, and just used or not used, at different times, depending on environment, etc.
Yeah, I think you have good grounds for investigation. I am really not well versed in genetics enough to make concrete claims. So, I'll ask my professor the same question that was asked in this video and let you know what comes out.

Still, I do not think this video is detrimental to Dawkins' credibility which it apparently is according to creationists..? Here's another video:

Dawkins is asked "What if you're wrong?":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mmskXXetcg
- Theists claim that he does not answer the question but I would say he did. I think theists just want to hear him say, "Well then I am screwed" whereas he, like myself, have next-to-no confidence in the existance of the Christian God. It's worrying about it just as much as the flying spaghetti monster.

What do you think..?
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