Are rare diseases / deformities proofs of evolution?
Matt M
Do you think rare diseases, or rare deformities, such as excessive hair all over the body (hypertrichosis), giganticism, or proteus syndrome or being born with an extra few fingers or limbs for example, do these help in some way to prove evolutionary theory and that mutations are what we began at? and does this show that mutations still occur.
If not, then where do these deformities and mutations in people fit in with God and his control why would he inflict them?
not in and of themselves, but within a larger context, they are very strong evidence for evolution.
here’s my answer:
i am a believer of G-d but i still believe in science (i go to MIT). for your answer concerning G-d, you cannot answer your question. the belief of G-d is taken on faith, and it is impossible to prove or disprove (and I am talking about disproving G-d, not disproving the bible), whatever science or facts you look at.
evolutionarily speaking, mutations serve to “try out” new arrangements of genes. therefore, all evolution began with mutation. one ape mutated to be slightly smarter and have a slightly larger brain. this ape was more successful at surviving and breeding to pass on his mutation (aka a big brain). the other mutations (aka the ape with a slightly smaller brain) that did not help the ape’s chance of survival and breeding eventually died out.
that is why these diseases are so rare, as you stated in your question. they are slowly being weeded out of the genetic population, as they do no service to the people that carry these mutations.
when such problems can be linked to genetics it provides proof that genetic mutations can effect a persons appearances (genotype effects phenotype) as well as show that mutations are possible. a child born from parents with the condition shows that these mutations can be passed on to offspring.
the benefit or detriment of a mutation is largely dependent on the location the person lives. for example sickle cell normally causes a problem with blood clotting, but it also provides a natural resistance to malaria, so really it become a good thing to have if there is a lot of cases of malaria in the area you live.
As evolution is a scientific theory, it has a high standard for proof. this doesn’t qualify as such, but it is evidence in favour of a random process at work rather than a guiding hand. You would expect a random process to have many more neutral or negative mutations than positive ones, and this evidence supports that.
Rare diseases/deformities are not beneficial to the one afflicted with the condition. This proves that genetic mutations are usually deleterious, instead of advantageous. In my opinion, this is evidence against evolution. Although I realize there are others who say there is evidence to prove evolution.