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Retrograde

(11,215 posts)

6. Evolution doesn't have a purpose

Reply to hlthe2b (Reply #2)

Thu May 3, 2012, 06:39 PM

May 2012

Genes mutate all the time, more or less randomly. Most mutations are harmful for the individual, some are neutral, a few confer some benefit that may make them more likely to reproduce. If the mutated individual passes on its genes they stay in the gene pool. If the mutation lets the individual stay alive long enough to reproduce it doesn't matter if it will have adverse effects on its post-reproductive life. There's no overall pre-ordained plan or direction.

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Another Genetic Quirk of the Solomon Islands: Blond Hair [View all] cali May 2012 OP

Well I'll be damned---I wasn't aware of this. Very interesting. virgogal May 2012 #1

Well that is interesting... hlthe2b May 2012 #2

It need not actually confer any advantage ... surrealAmerican May 2012 #3

true... hlthe2b May 2012 #4

But that doesn't matter as long as they can pass on their genes csziggy May 2012 #5

yes... certainly... (unless the opposite sex didn't particularly like blondes) hlthe2b May 2012 #9

Another thought - the particular blond gene may not have the same cancer risks csziggy May 2012 #13

Depends 4th law of robotics May 2012 #8

Evolution doesn't have a purpose Retrograde May 2012 #6

Yes, yes, yes, yes... I am aware.. Just ruminating because... hlthe2b May 2012 #7

It could be that blondes are considered more attractive? csziggy May 2012 #15

Maybe they just like the look AngryAmish May 2012 #16

They have more fun. n/t DefenseLawyer May 2012 #14

That's just cool. I love it when scientists find a wholly unexpected explanation like that. n/t Gormy Cuss May 2012 #10

Reminds me - the Aussie aborigines with blond - xchrom May 2012 #11

usually kids. the blonde/red hair thing is typical of a lot of pacific aboriginal populations. HiPointDem May 2012 #12

Cool. I didn't even know that some Solomon Islanders MineralMan May 2012 #17

Very interesting indeed. AverageJoe90 May 2012 #18