>-----Original Message-----
>From: Walter Hicks [mailto:wallyshoes@mindspring.com]
>Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2002 2:34 AM
>I understand that, but it is exactly what I meant, Glenn. I should have
>more clearly said the direct male descendants (Y-chromosome only). I
>have heard the argument that sooner or later all but one MUST die out. I
>can buy it only if there is some reason why that one is very much better
>than all the others. The argument that 99,999 out of 100,000 must
>automatically die out (the male chain only) and at the same time say
>that the 1 remaining produces a lineage of 1,000,000,00 men certainly
>has to look a bit fishy. I know zip about genetic details but I usually
>am fair at logic, math and probabilities.
>
>One cannot argue with the data, so it must have happened. Why it
>happened, seems to require more that a simple example of how one
>randomly selected line can die out. I can generate examples where each
>line should increase without limit, unless some competition exists with
>limited resources ---- then it is easy.
I have seen studies where computer programs were written which mimicked
stochastically exactly the process of the mtDNA or Y chromosome. Beleive it
or not the number of survivor lineages decreases with time until there is
one, if the program is run long enough. one example can be seen in John H.
Relethford, Genetics and the SEarch for Modern Human Origins, (New York:
Wiley, 2001)p. 171-173
glenn
see http://www.glenn.morton.btinternet.co.uk/dmd.htm
for lots of creation/evolution information
anthropology/geology/paleontology/theology\
personal stories of struggle
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