From: Michael Roberts (michael.andrea.r@ukonline.co.uk)
Date: Wed May 07 2003 - 16:09:36 EDT
This seems to me to give no more than Dawkins' computer models in the Blind
Watchmaker. As much as I want to be convinced the whole paper stops short of
proof or demonstration. However it is more
convincing thatn Dembski or Behe.
Michael
----- Original Message -----
From: "bivalve" <bivalve@mail.davidson.alumlink.com>
To: <asa@calvin.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2003 7:07 PM
Subject: ID challenge
The latest Nature has an article on modeling the favorite issues of ID:
RICHARD E. LENSKI, CHARLES OFRIA, ROBERT T. PENNOCK & CHRISTOPH ADAMI. 2003.
The evolutionary origin of complex features. Nature 423, 139 - 144.
Abstract: A long-standing challenge to evolutionary theory has been whether
it can explain the origin of complex organismal features. We examined this
issue using digital organisms-computer programs that self-replicate, mutate,
compete and evolve. Populations of digital organisms often evolved the
ability to perform complex logic functions requiring the coordinated
execution of many genomic instructions. Complex functions evolved by
building on simpler functions that had evolved earlier, provided that these
were also selectively favoured. However, no particular intermediate stage
was essential for evolving complex functions. The first genotypes able to
perform complex functions differed from their non-performing parents by only
one or two mutations, but differed from the ancestor by many mutations that
were also crucial to the new functions. In some cases, mutations that were
deleterious when they appeared served as stepping-stones in the evolution of
complex features. These findings show how complex functions can originate by
random mutation and natural selection.
Table of contents for the issue are at:
http://www.nature.com/cgi-taf/DynaPage.taf?file=/nature/journal/v423/n6936/i
ndex.html
Dr. David Campbell
Old Seashells
University of Alabama
Biodiversity & Systematics
Dept. Biological Sciences
Box 870345
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0345 USA
bivalve@mail.davidson.alumlink.com
That is Uncle Joe, taken in the masonic regalia of a Grand Exalted
Periwinkle of the Mystic Order of Whelks-P.G. Wodehouse, Romance at
Droitgate Spa
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Wed May 07 2003 - 17:13:58 EDT