Mutations ? (Re: D'Abrera on Science and Philosophy)

[Kenelm Philip]

Pierre Zagatti said: 

> The lack of positive effects of genomic modifications (observed or
> induced in the lab for 100 years) is probably the reason why
> so many people are not convinced by the classical approch of
> evolution.

There was a recent report of an experiment in which bacteria were evolved
in the lab to accept a poisonous replacement for one of their nutritive
requirements. In the context, that's certainly a positive effect. Adapt,
or die! Also, the continuing ability of insects and pathogens to evolve
immunity to pesticides and antibiotics is clearly a positive effect from
their point of view, if not from ours.

							Ken Philip
fnkwp at uaf.edu