: : Never having learned something is not, in and of itself, cause for embarassment, but I'm not sure how much bragging about the fact really helps your cause. In any case, visit talkorigins.org, look through the archives. The information you're looking for is readily available there.: Okay, I'm neither embarrased nor bragging about not being aware of beneficial mutations. I'm saying that in my undergraduate and post-graduate work plus 20 years of teaching science, I've not yet seen any evidence of a beneficial mutation. I've not yet been able to peruse the web sight you mentioned, so the possibility that I'm wrong does exist.
Indeed. Take a look at the links I posted. "Beneficial" mutations happen all the time. It's true that most mutations are detrimental, but some are not, and these are what lead to evolution.
: Are we discussing whether evolution can result in a change within an organism or whether evolution can result in new organisms.
Evolution, sensu lato, does both. I think you're making an artificial distinction where one does not exist in nature.
:In fact, evolution cannot explain the origin of life
True, as I mentioned, abiogenesis is a different issue.
:and of new organisms.
False. New organisms arise through the accumulation of unique traits in one population that are not shared with other populations of the same species. If a sufficient number of these new traits arise, to the point where members of one population can no longer freely breed and reproduce with members of other populations, then speciation has occurred.
:In a limited sense, it may explain how some fruit flies can develop dysfunctional wings or deformed eyes, but from there to new organisms is a mathematically impossible quantum leap,
Technically, a "quantum" is the fundamental unit of electromagnetic energy. It is what we scientists call "very, very small." so OK, I'll agree with the literal interpretation of your point. Very small changes, accumulating over very long periods of time, are quite capable of leading to the variety of life we see today. BTW, "mathematicall impossible" is a meaningless phrase. What you mean to say is "highly improbable."
:not to mention a violation of Genesis chapter 1.
A literal interpretation of Genesis Chapter 2 also conflicts with a literal interpretation of Genesis Chapter 1. This issue is irrelevant to the topic of evolution, however, since the Bible is a book of ethics and morals, and not a biology textbook.
-Floyd
None.
