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Smoking “causes hundreds of DNA changes”

bbc.com

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Re: Smoking “causes hundreds of DNA changes”

#6
post #4
post #2

So us smokers are more highly evolved? /s

Evolution doesn't have a high or low state, or a linear progression. It's a natural process that is random and responsive to environment changes, not progressing towards an ideal.

If mutation is the engine of evolution, an increase in mutation should mean an increase in the speed of evolution. Obviously not on the scales we're talking about here, but the premise doesn't seem too unsound, external pressures being equal.

Re: Smoking “causes hundreds of DNA changes”

#7
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Evolution doesn't have a high or low state, or a linear progression. It's a natural process that is random and responsive to environment changes, not progressing towards an ideal.

If mutation is the engine of evolution, an increase in mutation should mean an increase in the speed of evolution. Obviously not on the scales we're talking about here, but the premise doesn't seem too unsound, external pressures being equal.

Mutations can be beneficial, benign, or harmful. Smoking obviously only really creates the latter two.

Re: Smoking “causes hundreds of DNA changes”

#8
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Evolution doesn't have a high or low state, or a linear progression. It's a natural process that is random and responsive to environment changes, not progressing towards an ideal.

If mutation is the engine of evolution, an increase in mutation should mean an increase in the speed of evolution. Obviously not on the scales we're talking about here, but the premise doesn't seem too unsound, external pressures being equal.

sure stand in some radiation then and we'll watch you become evolved
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