Evolution: a different view with loss of traits; not Behe (Introduction)

by David Turell , Thursday, February 18, 2021, 16:04 (1164 days ago) @ dhw

QUOTE: Discoveries during the subsequent two decades have continued to support the idea that loss of function contributes to adaptation (Murray 2020), with cases of adaptive or beneficial loss of function being discovered across diverse organisms, genes, traits, and environments.

DAVID: Devolution does exist and is recognized by folks not at all related to ID. Much of the article discusses the difficulties in identifying the devolutionary mutations. Many articles are referenced in this review article. So, Behe's theory is well known outside ID.

dhw: The word used throughout this article is “adaptation”. You originally claimed that Behe’s theory related to speciation, and I agree that there is no fixed dividing line between adaptation and speciation, but this does not alter the fact that in new conditions, some genes and traits will no longer be needed. That does not mean loss of traits CAUSES adaptation/speciation. It accompanies adaptation/speciation. So what are you hoping to prove?

Obviously the article does not help us in knowing how speciation occurs. This is simply more information that adaptation can result from loss of genes, as you note. The oddity is in that adaptation seems to require loss of information or a rearrangement of information so necessary previously hidden information can appear. Proof: it appears necessary future information is planted beforehand, in anticipation of need, just what you reject.