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2026-01-21 Science & Technology

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Posted by Skidmark 2026-01-21 00:00|| E-Mail|| Front Page|| [1801 views ] Top

1 Morocco fossil finds re-write the origins of our species

Posted by Skidmark 2026-01-20 09:11|| 2026-01-20 09:11|| Front Page Top

2
Given the genetic data as a cause.
Will we see certain governments conducting tests of its population or births, to eliminate problems?

Posted by NN2N1 2026-01-21 02:56|| 2026-01-21 02:56|| Front Page Top

3 "Mama was a Democrat too"

Eve with an apple in hand ended paradise.
Eve with an Apple iPhone in hand will end America.

Posted by Procopius2k 2026-01-21 08:54|| 2026-01-21 08:54|| Front Page Top

4 Skidmark - it turns out that Lucy was not an ancestor rather a co-species that spent most of their time in the trees. What we thought were the children of the Lucies turned out to be alive almost 2 million years before... so we are much older than thought.

Posted by 3dc 2026-01-21 11:47|| 2026-01-21 11:47|| Front Page Top

5 As to Momma was a Democrat too... that behavior seemed to start at the melting of Europe about 12000 years ago... oh and beer was started before agriculture as people wanted to get drunk.... esp the women.

Posted by 3dc 2026-01-21 11:50|| 2026-01-21 11:50|| Front Page Top

6 What if we are devolving rather than evolving? Wouldn't that put a new light on the whole "unburdened by what has been" mantra?

The following are the results from a Copilot Search for "Sanford genetic entropy".

Genetic entropy, a concept introduced by John C. Sanford, posits that the genomes of living organisms are degenerating due to the accumulation of harmful mutations, which natural selection cannot effectively counteract.

Overview of Genetic Entropy

John C. Sanford, a geneticist and former professor at Cornell University, argues in his book "Genetic Entropy & the Mystery of the Genome" that the human genome, along with those of other organisms, is deteriorating over time. He claims that this degeneration is primarily due to the accumulation of slightly harmful mutations that escape the purifying effects of natural selection. Sanford estimates that humans acquire approximately 100 new mutations per generation, most of which are near-neutral or slightly deleterious.

Key Arguments

Mutation Accumulation: Sanford asserts that while natural selection can eliminate some harmful mutations, it is not efficient enough to prevent the overall accumulation of these mutations in the genome. He argues that this leads to a gradual decline in genetic fitness and, ultimately, extinction if the process continues unchecked.

Critique of Neo-Darwinism: Sanford's theory challenges the traditional neo-Darwinian framework, which posits that evolution is driven by beneficial mutations and natural selection. He claims that beneficial mutations are exceedingly rare and that the majority of mutations are harmful, undermining the foundation of evolutionary theory.

Mendel's Accountant: Sanford and his colleagues developed a computational model called Mendel's Accountant, which simulates the accumulation of mutations in digital populations. This model supports his claims about genetic degeneration and the limitations of natural selection.

Implications and Critiques
Sanford's ideas have sparked significant debate within the scientific community. While some proponents of intelligent design support his arguments, many evolutionary biologists criticize them as misinterpretations of genetic data and population genetics. Critics argue that Sanford's conclusions do not account for the complexities of genetic variation and the potential for beneficial mutations to arise.

Conclusion

The concept of genetic entropy presents a controversial perspective on genetics and evolution, suggesting that the human genome is on a path of decline due to mutation accumulation. While Sanford's work has garnered attention, it remains a topic of heated discussion and critique within the broader scientific discourse on evolution and genetics. For those interested in the intersection of genetics and evolutionary theory, Sanford's "Genetic Entropy" offers a provocative viewpoint that challenges conventional understanding.

Emphasis mine.

Posted by Melancholic 2026-01-21 14:37|| 2026-01-21 14:37|| Front Page Top

7 Supposedly Homo sapiens was reduced to a thousand individuals in Kenya or thereabouts at one point, from which we expanded to the present population, which suggests as a species we can survive an awful lot of challenges before the lights go out forever.

On the other hand, because of fairly easily available abortions and a rejection of close cousin marriage in a much more heterogeneous population, things like Down Syndrome and recessive mental and physical handicaps used to be much more common in Western society than they are now. We can see how much less when we compare to the Somalis and Pakistanis among us.

Posted by trailing wife 2026-01-21 19:07|| 2026-01-21 19:07|| Front Page Top

23:42 trailing wife
23:27 Jairong+Scourge+of+the+Gepids2435
22:21 trailing wife
21:44 Gloluns Turkeyneck4904
21:41 Frank G
21:02 Jairong+Scourge+of+the+Gepids2435
19:55 Frank G
19:53 Lord Garth
19:07 trailing wife
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16:55 Procopius2k
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16:46 Grom the Affective
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