RE: [asa] Question on speciation

This is out of my area of expertise as well, but until a real biologist
speaks up I'll throw this in. A fusion of the number two chromosome is
one differentiation in DNA between man and the other primates. I would
suppose this to be a single mutation occurring with an individual in a
small breeding population. The genetic closeness with others in the
population might not make that difference alone detrimental to being
able to breed with another individual having the original number of
chromosomes as there would be no other genetic reasons to prevent having
offspring. That chromosomal change over time apparently did take hold
in a particular breeding population which, of course, leads to you and
me. I would think a simultaneous chromosomal change in two individuals,
one female and one male, who would have to find one another, would be an
unlikely event.

Dick Fischer

Dick Fischer, Genesis Proclaimed Association

Finding Harmony in Bible, Science, and History

 <http://www.genesisproclaimed.org/> www.genesisproclaimed.org

-----Original Message-----
From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On
Behalf Of Bill Hamilton
Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2008 8:48 AM
To: Keith Miller; American Scientific Affiliation
Subject: Re: [asa] Question on speciation

Keith wrote

I am really out of my expertise here. I do not know the genetic
literature well enough. The biologists among us can comment.

Nevertheless, thanks for commenting. I'd appreciate if some of the
biologists on the list would post some references that would help an
engineer get more familiar with the literature on speciation. One
question that puzzles me is how you detect speciation in the wild.

William E. (Bill) Hamilton, Ph.D.
248.652.4148 (home) 248.821.8156 (mobile)
"...If God is for us, who is against us?" Rom 8:31
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Received on Sat Feb 2 10:01:34 2008