Evolution in action

[Carnavon]

Welcome, btw, I don't recall having 'met' you before.

Thanks for the welcome. No, we have not “met” before. I visit the atheist forums from time to time (time permitting) . It is however a bit of a problem as I do not have the time to respond properly to all the comments. Each person actually deserves (…..well most) a proper reply. It is often interesting and stimulates research – which I enjoy. Your response was appreciated and enjoyed considering your comments on latest research and developments.

A hypothesis is based on observation and together those things are the beginning of science. Actually getting something to work always involves a hypothesis: it's the idea that something could work if you tried 'this'. Anyone who cites an experiment as 'proof' doesn't sufficently understand the scientific method. It's evidence, not proof. And recent duplications of the Miller-Urey experiment run with a more modern understanding of the likely composition of the ancient atmosphere produced a greater variety of complex organic molecules than the original experiment. And speaking of getting something to work, did you know that a couple of years ago, an entire bacterial genome was synthesized from scratch, placed in a denucleated cell, which then 'came to life' and was able to reproduce, thus pioneering the field of synthetic biology? That's what hypothesizing can lead to.

This would then agree with the following (stating that it was placed inside a cell, and not creating from scratch?)

“We now have a picture of how life may have developed under prebiotic conditions. One can easily envision a scenario in which the earth was bombarded by meteorites containing amino acids, organic compounds and fatty acids which had passed through the circular polarized light of an interstellar molecular cloud, then cyanamide and glycolaldehyde were mixed in a freshwater tide pool and allowed to sit overnight, glyceraldehyde was then added and allowed to incubate overnight before reacting with cyanoacetylene in another tide pool containing a buffered aqueous solution of pH 6.5, then phosphorylated with urea and ammonium salts under heat, dehydrated and rearranged-via intramolecular nucleophilic substitution before being allowed to cool and rehydrate and subsequently bathe in ultraviolet light (http://telicthoughts.com/the-current-sta...-research/)

:” But has the JCVI created ‘new life’and tested vitalism? Not really. The semi-synthetic mycobacterium is not changed from the wild state in any fundamental sense. In essence then, the "hardware" as I understand was used, hardly creating anything from the bare essentials.

Your understanding of the fossil record seems to be out-of-date. We have remarkably complete sequences for a variety of species, including humans, horses, and whales.

It might not be too much to ask to provide some facts on macro-evolution then? Not a fruit fly with ten wings, but remaining a fruit fly. It must develop into something totally different with at least some fossil record.

Further, despite all the research being done, no change in specie has been observed – bacteria remain bacteria, fruit flies remain fruit flies. There is no evidence that “evolution” takes place in these fast producing systems – adding new information to a system. Apparently all known mutations in plant and animal germ cell (that gets reproduced) are either neutral, harmful (i.e not contributing towards “improvement” in the specie and thus its ability to survive) or fatal.
It also seems that variation within a specie is limited and has “borders” that are never crossed – and if these borders are exceeded (by active manipulation) , the specie becomes sterile and dies out.

The problem also exists that “principle types” seem to appear suddenly and fully. No intermediate "phases" or intermediate forms between various types are detectable. (See the speculation re punctuated equilibrium)

You would have to agree with me that this information supports a creation model rather than an evolutionary model? Even if you do not agree, the evidence for a creation model is just as valid (and do not rely on astronomical odds to let it happen)

You should really look up 'quote-mining' to find out what most of us here think of the practice.

Yes, I did and the following seems to be a fairly acceptable definition: "The practice of quoting out of context, sometimes referred to as "contextomy" or "quote mining".
It seems then hat you may be mistaken in your claim as the items quoted are duly recognised (normally done in most papers when the work of others are recognised and not put forward as your own.

Before the Enlightenment that freed us from the tyranny of theocracy, the killing of babies was more than discussed.

You suggest that the practice is promoted in Christianity? I must have been sleeping in church then? I know that it is often practiced in pagan societies and now also on the modern altar of convenience. Do you condone the killing of babies (and lets be reasonable and old sickly folks as well - including maybe your parents ?)

The same as if it isn't a fluke. It's not where you came from that matters, it's where you're going.

Very true

The theory of evolution is descriptive, not prescriptive. It tells us why life is so diverse. It doesn't tell us what we should do.

The argument and comment was exactly that – is the value of your life dependent on the judgement of others ? As there is apparently no “truth”, it is up to the moral values of society – and you can clearly see where that is leading to. On what grounds was Hitler wrong then when he had hundreds of thousands exterminated?

Saying that if we have value because God values us is the same thing as saying we have no intrinsic value.

Yes, I see your point, I believe - as far as non-Christians are concerned at least.
Do you submit then that your value can be determined by factors such as your value to others/society (possibly with a prior agenda) other than your own well-being- and especially if you are unable to defend your “rights”? Ot do you really have no value? (OK meat is expensive and you have a point there)