"Sir David Attenborough says humans have stopped evolving"

[metis]

If anything it's neutral.

I think that would largely depend on exactly what one might mean by "neutral" in this context as there are variable characteristics that may or may not help a species to have a better chance of surviving. When you say "neutral", do you mean that these characteristics can be "variable" from species to species or even within a species, which is something I can agree with, btw?

 

[FranklinMichaelV.3]

I think that would largely depend on exactly what one might mean by "neutral" in this context as there are variable characteristics that may or may not help a species to have a better chance of surviving. When you say "neutral", do you mean that these characteristics can be "variable" from species to species or even within a species, which is something I can agree with, btw?

Neutral at that what is "good" is determined by the environment. What May be a bad mutation in one place is good in another. And most mutations all not actually result in a positive or negative when it comes to our survival.

 

[metis]

Neutral at that what is "good" is determined by the environment. What May be a bad mutation in one place is good in another. And most mutations all not actually result in a positive or negative when it comes to our survival.

OK, I see now how you're using it, and I agree. Most mutations are either negative or have no effect, but the positive ones make it work for better adaptation over the long haul. Even the "no effect" mutations have the potential of having a positive effect later. Let me give an example.

Researchers have found through testing rats that some can take significantly higher amounts of radiation than most other rats before it kills them. However, right now that really doesn't make for a difference one way or another, but in the even of a nuclear war, heaven forbid, ...

 

[FranklinMichaelV.3]

OK, I see now how you're using it, and I agree. Most mutations are either negative or have no effect, but the positive ones make it work for better adaptation over the long haul. Even the "no effect" mutations have the potential of having a positive effect later. Let me give an example.

Researchers have found through testing rats that some can take significantly higher amounts of radiation than most other rats before it kills them. However, right now that really doesn't make for a difference one way or another, but in the even of a nuclear war, heaven forbid, ...

It's also important to note that mutations happen all the times. THe mutations we see are the ones that are bodies do not correct.

 

[metis]

It's also important to note that mutations happen all the times. THe mutations we see are the ones that are bodies do not correct.

Yes, and if my memory is correct, most mutations are carried recessively. I had one physical anthropology professor who said that the average person has roughly seven mutations that show up in the phenotype, but I don't know if that's accurate or not since he said as such back in the mid 70's, and so much research on mutations has been done since.

 

[ImprobableBeing]

OK, I see now how you're using it, and I agree. Most mutations are either negative or have no effect, but the positive ones make it work for better adaptation over the long haul. Even the "no effect" mutations have the potential of having a positive effect later. Let me give an example.

Researchers have found through testing rats that some can take significantly higher amounts of radiation than most other rats before it kills them. However, right now that really doesn't make for a difference one way or another, but in the even of a nuclear war, heaven forbid, ...

There is an entire population in Ramsar, Iran that have the same resistance to radioactive damage.

Evolution in action.

 

[metis]

There is an entire population in Ramsar, Iran that have the same resistance to radioactive damage.

Evolution in action.

I didn't know that, so thanks.

 

[Ouroboros]

Thought of Przelwalski's horse.

Like the wildlife around Chernobyl: BBC NEWS | Europe | Wildlife defies Chernobyl radiation

Resistance to radiation is building up through adaptation and mutation. Animals living as long as those in clean areas.

 

[ImprobableBeing]

Thought of Przelwalski's horse.

Like the wildlife around Chernobyl: BBC NEWS | Europe | Wildlife defies Chernobyl radiation

Resistance to radiation is building up through adaptation and mutation. Animals living as long as those in clean areas.

This is one of the things that makes me a believer in there being life on other planets, if the conditions are slightly off and known harmful radiation exists, if it's too cold or too hot or whatever, life finds a way.