My wife is the biologist (she works in a hospital lab) in the family, and
I seem to recall her pointing out that in terms of gene count, humans and
cats are remarkably similar, yet we are so far apart in terms of other
mammalian characteristics. Does evolutionary theory predict that?
Evolutionary theory does not "predict" the differences between a cat and a
human; genetic theory does that.
Evolutionary theory simply describes the patterns of organic change over
time, and the dynamics that affect such change.
Chimps are even closer to humans, in terms of DNA: 98.4 percent of our DNA
is exactly the same as that of chimps. Yet there are profound differences
between us, which shows you just how important 1.6% can be. Evolutionary
theory does explain and reflect the phenomenon of the evolutionary branching
between humans and chimps 6 million years ago, and 9 million years ago
between our (common branch) and gorillas. Evolution produces the genetic
mix of a species; genetic behavior produces our organic qualities.
Lawry
I'll have to forward your comments to her. Hopefully you will find her
responses challenging and interesting. We may not be doctors, but don't
write us off on that account (I taught myself Algebra from an encyclopedia
when I was 8, and didn't marry until 35 because I was waiting for somebody
reasonably close to my intelligence -- and the scary thing is, Lori is
more intelligent than me about a lot of things ;)
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