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Can people with loss-of-function mutations to CYP2E1 be resistant to benzene poisoning?

[Evolution] Do human mutations have any positive results?

  • With thousands of examples of harmful mutations readily available, surely it should be possible to describe some positive mutations if macroevolution is true, without any negative side effects. These would be needed not only for evolution to greater complexity, but also to offset the downward pull of the many harmful mutations. But, when it comes to identifying positive mutations, evolutionary scientists are strangely silent? The closest I have found so far... Sickle cell anemia - The problems with this are obvious, as the sickle cell mutation, like the many other described hemoglobin mutations, clearly impairs the function of the otherwise marvelously well-designed hemoglobin molecule. It can in no way be regarded as an improvement in our species. Cancerous cellular degeneration - Again, this idea fails to hold up under scrutiny. Malignant cells can hardly be considered to be an improvement over their normal counterparts. They are “fitter” only in their replicative activity, but even this is just an exaggerated use of already existing cellular machinery. In many other important ways, they have degenerative features. They show no gain of information, but generally a loss or disorder of functions. If Evolution is real, we would be therefore de-evolving at a slow rate? Natural selection would just be slowing down this rate. According to the Evolution Theory (and Hoax from which it started) we where originally ape like creatures, we de-evolved into humans - losing most our ability to grip with feet, our tail for support and extra hold, becoming slower, lazier, fatter, defenseless creatures compared to the apes which happen to still be around? Therefore should the faith be renamed to Devolution?

  • Answer:

    Yes, it has been demonstrated in the lab: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._coli_long-term_evolution_experiment "n 2008 Lenski and his collaborators reported on a particularly important adaptation that occurred in one of the twelve populations: the bacteria evolved the ability to utilize citrate as a source of energy. Wild type E. coli cannot transport citrate across the cell membrane to the cell interior (where it could be incorporated into the citric acid cycle) when oxygen is present. The consequent lack of growth on citrate under oxic conditions is considered a defining characteristic of the species that has been a valuable means of differentiating E. coli from pathogenic Salmonella. Around generation 33,127, the experimenters noticed a dramatically expanded population-size in one of the samples; they found that there were clones in this population that could grow on the citrate included in the growth medium to permit iron acquisition."

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[Evolution] Do human mutations have any positive results? ever heard of lactase persistence?

Hedonism Bot

What do you mean by "positive" Positive means different things for different environments.Obviously,having a mutation that causes thicker fur that is black won't do you any good in the desert.

Zombie Crazyfool

You mean like being born without an appendix or wisdom teeth? Yep....there are tons of examples. Oh...and if those ain't good enough, I'd love to hear you argue this one: http://filmdrunk.uproxx.com/2012/01/x-men-irl-chinese-mutant-can-see-in-the-dark

Great Gazoo

A simple look at antibiotic resistant bacteria shows that mutation can aid in survival.

neil s

"without any negative side effects" Says who? A mutation sticks around if it improves survivability. It can cause a negative side affect but still enhance survivability. "but also to offset the downward pull of the many harmful mutations" No, natural selection weeds out the harmful mutations. The "downward pull" only exists in your imagination. Some people have 20/10 vision. Some people are double-jointed. Some have ridiculously slow metabolisms that would help them survive a famine, yet not not kill them before they are old enough to pass on their genes. Some have enhanced ability to process sounds, such as perfect pitch. Etc.

Max

HONEST people post Science questions in the appropriate Science section. DISHONEST people post willfully ignorant anti Science rants here. Thank you for adding to the mounds of evidence that religion = BAD morals. As for your unsupported assertions: -That which is asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.- Let me try to make crystal clear what is established beyond reasonable doubt, and what needs further study, about evolution. Evolution as a process that has always gone on in the history of the earth can be doubted only by those who are ignorant of the evidence or are resistant to evidence, owing to emotional blocks or to plain bigotry. By contrast, the mechanisms that bring evolution about certainly need study and clarification. There are no alternatives to evolution as history that can withstand critical examination. Yet we are constantly learning new and important facts about evolutionary mechanisms. - Theodosius Dobzhansky "Nothing in Biology Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution", American Biology Teacher vol. 35 (March 1973) reprinted in Evolution versus Creationism, J. Peter Zetterberg ed., ORYX Press, Phoenix AZ 1983

ANDRE L

Atheists, are you seeking signs or trying to convert people?

John Quill

Humans have subverted the evolution process somewhat by caring for the sick, and making it more difficult for negative mutations to have negative consequences (specifically death, or a lack of breeding). So, things like sickle-cell anaemia and cancerous cellular degeneration can easily remain and mix into the gene pool. But yeah, we do get some positive results. For example: http://www.cracked.com/article_19661_6-real-people-with-mind-blowing-mutant-superpowers.html

alwbsok

Write a blog.

Mordred

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