Mutations (Evolution)

by David Turell , Sunday, April 13, 2008, 02:42 (6069 days ago) @ dhw

I also found the video a bit strange, as Miller set out to demolish the argument that every single one of the factors was essential in humans by stressing that they were not all essential in dolphins or puffer fish! But maybe I've misunderstood something. All the same, George, you have provided stimulating material for us to think about. I hope that we can widen the discussion to mutations in general, since this element of "chance" is such a major bone of contention in all our discussions. - I found Miller's video to leave out much science. We have all heard of hemophiliacs. That is Factor VIII deficiency. Deficiency in Factors V, VII, and X all separately cause bleeding disorders. Miller picked out factors that are less important. Some Factors are absolutely required! - In whales and dolphins, he didn't mention whether their blood content is very similar to ours or different enough to allow a different system of clotting. The same comment applies to puffer fish. I don't know tht answer and he didn't offer any comment. We should be comparing apples to apples. - And how about the issue of blood pressure. Our 'normal' systolic pressure is 120 mm of mercury, 13 times the weight of water, or a column of water 5 feet 1 inch high!! What is whale or dolphin or puffer fish blood pressure? Human clots must withstand that pressure to close tiny puncture wounds, as can be done when arterial needles are removed and external pressure alone will form a solid clot.
Granted among hunter- gatherers needles were not the problem, but small wounds could have been handled by external pressure, and I imagine they learned that technique. - I know evolution occurred as I have often stated, and systems that evolve tend to be efficient solutions for the given organ or organism. All Miller has proven to me is that evolution of blood clotting happened. My only point is that it is so very complex that coding in DNA and RNA may be the guiding force.