If Darwin was right, for example, then scientists should be able to perform a neat trick. Using a mathematical formula that emerges from evolutionary theory, they should be able to predict the number of harmful mutations in chimpanzee DNA by knowing the number of mutations in a different species' DNA and the two animals' population sizes.
"That's a very specific prediction," said Eric Lander, a geneticist at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in Cambridge, Mass., and a leader in the chimp project.
So, how did the test come out?
Sure enough, when Lander and his colleagues tallied the harmful mutations in the chimp genome, the number fit perfectly into the range that evolutionary theory had predicted.
The result is not a surprise, but it is comforting. It is good to scientific theory being tested, and then passing that test.
For a much deeper look at this evolution, visit Pharyngula or Panda's Thumb . Two blogs who have a much better understanding of the whole issue, and how it relates to the not so intelligent design crowd.
4 comments:
Why is it comforting to you? What is your background? This is a mathematical model which takes into account alot of assumptions because you cannot directly test the theory. I am a scientist and do believe their model correctly showed the similarity between different species at the genetic level. Look up the difference between similarity and homology. It does not explain how apes or chimps evolved into humans.
Too bad this administration doesn't believe in science.
It does not explain how apes or chimps evolved into humans.
In part because the theory doesnt work that way.
Each follows it's own path. Evolution is like a bush, with many branches, some long, some short. Some are connected way back, some quite recently.
I used to agree with those who said that both monkeys and man descended from some common ancestor. But these days I run into so many people still dragging their knuckles on the ground, that I'm becoming convinced that we did descend from monkeys.
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