Tuesday, November 30, 2004

Evolution?


Neal Boortz asks

If you don't believe in evolution, can you explain to me why researchers have to come up with a new flu vaccine every year in order to handle each year's version of the flu bug? While you're at it you can explain how various bugs manage to evolve to the point where they are impervious to current antibiotics.


You actually answered your own question. It's still a flu bug. There is no doubt an almost unlimited genetic variability within a "kind" of creature. This is easily demonstrated by breeding programs of various animals such as dogs. By using genetic formulas you can intelligently manipulate various characteristics of a dog (or let nature take it's course). There are Chihuahuas and there are Great Danes, Bulldogs and Greyhounds, Sheepdogs and Poodles, but they all have one thing in common. They are all still dogs. This has been done with fish, birds, cats, mice, rats, cattle, horses, goats, and many more animals - and yes, viruses. There is tremendous variability within each type of animal, but no one has ever created another kind of animal because it can't be done.

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