[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

[SPAM] evolution retraction + a few points to ponder

Hi all

As u are all know too well, Monday I put forward a rather flimsy and 
poorly organized argument against seeing The theory of evolution 
as fact. Over the course of the week I have received numerous 
emails arguing both sides of the story (I seem to pick up flack from 
all sides...). 
With all the info I am currently forced to re-evaluate my stance. I 
can already see that many of my opinions will change. As such I 
can no longer justify my previous stance and hereby issue a formal 
apology to all concerned and retract it.
I also apologize now for subjecting the list to this debate.

I believe it was Erny (who in a brilliant example of a whiny and 
aggressive toned email) pointed out that I have damaged my 
reputation. Firstly I am flattered that he though I had a reputation 
worth anything. Second: the only reputation I wish to foster is that 
of a nonconformist, objective independent thinker who believes 
Jesus was the son of God and died to save us though God's grace 
(as opposed to man's arrogant accomplishments) and that killies 
are cool. I doubt anyone will disagree with the last part.

The topic of endosymbiotic theory arose on this list along the 
debate. Anyone of you fortunate enough to get the opportunity to 
attend a lecture by Prof Lynn Margulis should do so. She will keep 
you on the edge of your seat. For the record: it is believed 
chloroplasts originated from cyanobacteria. The origin of 
mitochondia is still uncertain but were probably some other small 
bacteria. While there are various wholes in the theory at this stage 
the overwhelming evidence is in favour of it. The best support 
comes from lichens. These symbiote fungi and cyanobacteria can 
live independently. They can be pried apart but never put back 
together however. Another interesting item is a small marine worm 
on the spanish coast. This worm spends its infancy eating algae. It 
extracts the chloroplasts and then spends the rest of its life sitting 
in the sun. It is not a plant but an animal which can 
photosynthesize and maintain chloroplasts! ...another theory shot 
out of the water.

If any one would like to know the outcome of my private evaluation 
of Evolution theory let me know and I will forward it privately. I think 
this topic should remain off list permanently.

In closing I would just like to confirm that killies are evolving 
independent of our beliefs. In our debates to study such traits as 
sex determination we must remember that captive bred strains 
have long since been removed of the indigenous selection criteria 
that directed their evolution and may well now represent an 
unnatural state of that species. It is becoming increasingly clear 
that sex determination may be linked with incubation conditions 
and length. As many of us keeping annuals tend to incubate for set 
times (often abnormally long times) we may be altering the genetic 
composition of our strains to point where they can not be 
compared the wild strain any longer.

There is much that still needs to be explored scientifically. Drawing 
conclusions on what we presently have may prove arrogant and 
detrimental to future research.

Have a good weekend, read you all Monday.

Keep well

Tyrone Genade
Southern African Killifish Society Coastal & Offshore Coordinator
AKA 08248
tyronegenade at yahoo_com
http://www.geocities.com/tyronegenade

*************************************************************
P450 Lab, Biochemistry Department
University of Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa
Ph: +27-021-808-5876, fax: +27-021-808-5863
**********************************************************

          In God I trust, 
     but in all others I must have irrefutable proof!
---------------
See http://www.aka.org/AKA/subkillietalk.html to unsubscribe
Follow-Ups: