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[quote=Anonymous]"Could you discuss the ratio of beneficial to harmful mutations? Isn't the ratio tipped vastly in favor of harmful mutations? And what about the degree of harm or benefit? Even a highly beneficial mutation is unlikely to have a huge overall positive effect on the organism, whereas even a small harmful mutation could be fatal."

I have had essentially this same question with regard to evolution, and am satisfied that the answer lies in my own failure of imagination about the long time periods required for macroevolution.  Here's the example that convinced me:  Sickle cell anemia is an inherited trait that changes the shape of red blood cells (this is from memory so people who know more feel free to correct if I miss the particulars).  The condition resulted from a mutation and generally shortens life span, EXCEPT that sicle cells are less prone to malaria.  So sickle cell anemia is actually an adaptive trait where you might otherwise die of malaria before you reach the age at which you can reproduce.  So yes it's a mutation, yes it's a harmful mutation, but it's also adaptive.[/quote]

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