Mutations, bad not good (Introduction)

by Balance_Maintained , U.S.A., Wednesday, July 06, 2011, 20:51 (4868 days ago) @ DragonsHeart

Without even looking at ancient civilizations, all I have to do is simply look at the sheer number of disorders that are caused by genetic mutations, such as Trisomy 21(Down Syndrome), Klinefelter syndrome in males, Turner syndrome in females, and see that these mutations in no way contribute anything useful to the human species. Yes, I do know that these mutations do not occur in 100% of the population, but the fact is that they keep occurring in increasing numbers(or at least, they are being reported more often). 
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> I was talking with someone last week, and we were discussing how humans were made perfect, and mutations occurred after the "exile from Eden." In what possible way could a mutation be beneficial to something that was supposedly perfect in the first place? 
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> I can certainly see how certain adaptations of a species can be beneficial, but adaptations do not necessarily alter the genetic make-up of an individual or a species altogether.-Welcome to the forums! -As in one of my recent posts, I made the 'mistake' of using the word 'perfect'. This is perhaps a misnomer that inadvertently put too much emphasis on my theist background. In most things, we put the burden of proof on the person making the assertion. I would challenge evolutionary theorists to show the 'benefit' of each and every small mutation, while also proving that said mutation did not preclude reproduction in the species. -I have heard Dawkins lecture and state explicitly that most times they do not know what possible benefit a given mutation could be. I find that to be an acceptable answer except for that he follows it up with the assertion that despite not being able prove how it is an improvement, it certainly is. -Even that might not be so bad except that it is the scientific equivalent of the 'God did it' argument that atheists accuse theists of.