Early embryology; clockwork construction plan (Introduction)

by David Turell , Sunday, October 16, 2011, 14:49 (4787 days ago) @ dhw

[/i]http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111013153943.htm

Another illustration of the astounding complexity of life’s mechanisms, but this one has a tremendous sting in the tail:

“The mechanism [the Hox clock] that we have discovered must be infinitely more stable and precise [than the Circadian and menstrual clocks]. Even the smallest change would end up leading to the emergence of a new species.”

I need guidance on this, but they seem to be homing in on the mechanism which actually drives evolution (as opposed to natural selection, which only ensures that innovations survive). It’s frustrating that they throw this titbit in at the last minute without further explanation, but perhaps David you could enlighten us with your own slant on that last sentence.

I wouldn't over-interpret that quote. The construction mechanism of an enbryo must be just as precise as any consruction process. Imagine a Ford plant that went haywire and two wheels were on the roof and two wheels under the pan with the axles running thru the cab. It would drive at 90 degrees from normal but wouldn't survive in traffic. The quote relates to not creating monsters, which are not likely to survive, but maintain the purity of the species. You are right in the sense that a minor mistake can create variations, but those mistakes are precisely guarded against.

There is a philosophy of science KEY point here: if under Darwin theory evolution is a chance free-flowing process, advanced by variation, guarded by natural selection, why is there a mechanism in the genome to protect so assiduously the existing form of the species, seemingly not allowing the variation the Darwin theory needs?

Any answers Darwinists and natural selectionists?