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paleotn

(20,624 posts)
7. Genetic mutations are random.
Sun May 12, 2024, 09:28 AM
May 2024

Which mutations "take" and which don't are driven by reproductive success and environment, making it look like chance had no part in it.

Most mutations are neither harmful nor beneficial. They can be carried forward into future generations or not. Some mutations are quite harmful and quickly selected out. But occasionally, a chance mutation provides a significant benefit, driving evolutionary change.

But never discount the power of random chance and incredible lengths of time. Look under the hood and that's the engine of evolution. Nothing mystical or directed about it. It just looks that way from the outside.

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