> > > > When our own immune systems encounter an invader and we develop > > antibodies, do you consider that evolotion? > > > > A mutation is not the same as evolution. And it's a far > cry from proving > > that life arose from inanimate matter with no outside intelligent > > intervention. > > A mutation that reproduces itself over several generations is > evolution. > If you check medical records just over the past century, you > will find that > humanity has evolved somewhat, probably because of improved nutrition. > The average person is several inches taller now than two centuies ago. > I stand almost 8 inches taller than my parents did. >
Bill, I don't think it's counted as mutation until it's found it's way into the genome. The increased height of successive generations recently is the result of better nutrition and other environmental factors (possibly included growth hormones in McDonalds, imo!). Hard times would reverse that trend, and it's been demonstrated often. Evolution is the selection of genetic traits which increase reproductive success. Being taller tends probably tends to increase reproductive success in humans, but on the timescales you're talking about it's more easily attributable to environment. Bob
