Re: Hardy-Weinberg law

From: John Edser (edser_at_tpg.com.au)
Date: 06/26/04 

Date: Sat, 26 Jun 2004 04:56:34 +0000 (UTC)

> >>JE:-
> >>"Wierd"? Dr O'Hara is not correct.
> >>The HW distribution is just a binomial
> >>distribution derived from Pascale's
> >>Triangle.

> > BOH:-
> > Sorry, John, but there's simply no such thing as the "HW distribution"
> > in the Hardy-Weinberg law. If I'm wrong, then please correct me by
> > pointing to the literature which places the "HW distribution" in the H-W
> > law.

> > JE:-
> > Pedantic nonsense.
> > Do you deny or confirm that HW “law”
> > only represents a binomial _distribution_
> > of the alleles concerned so the HW “law”
> > is actually just a binomial distribution
> > of alleles, i.e. HW “law” only represents
> > a defined _zero_ state re: any _significant_
> > bias of a binomial distribution of the
> > alleles concerned?

> BOH:-
> Clearly not: (1) H-W is deterministic, there is no distribution, (2)
> the binomial distribution only has two classes of events: "success" and
> "failure". H-W has three: two homozygotes and a heterozygote.

JM:-
John,
The "binomial distribution" is actually a two parameter family of
distributions. The parameters are "p" and "n". For n=2, the
distribution is, as you claim, very closely related to Hardy-
Weinberg.

JE:-
Yes, a binomial distribution
is just, Pascale's Triangle which
represents a maximal possible increase.
The only thing than can disturb this
prediction of allele distribution is
something that reduces this maximum,
e.g. selection on something.

JM:-
I have no idea why BOH claims that the binomial distribution
has only two classes of events. My texts indicate that it has
n+1 classes.

JE:-
BOH appears to be attempting to evade the
issue which is the HW "law" only represents
a DEFINED zero state for the distribution of
alleles in either the heterozygous or homozygous
state.

JM:-
Nor do I understand what he means by the law
being "deterministic".

JE:-
A binomial distribution is a determined
maximal increase. However in this case it
only determines a zero state for allele
distribution.

JM:-
I would recommend that you disengage from discussing these
subjects with BOH. He is apparently peeved with amateurs
who have not yet learned the jargon. Darwin is quoted as
having complained to the effect that when someone is slain
by mathematics, they don't even get the satisfaction of
knowing how they were killed. BOH seems to be determined
not to provide satisfaction. That, apparently, provides
him with satisfaction.

JE:-
I am not afraid of the big bad wolf ;-)

Respectfully,

John Edser
Independent Researcher

PO Box 266
Church Pt
NSW 2105
Australia

edser@tpg.com.au

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Hardy-Weinberg lawt
    ... > No, a binomial distribution has N events, with two possible outcomes per ... alleles in an individual is binomially distributed". ... only exist as fitness dependent within ... Hatter world where all genes are fitness ...
    (sci.bio.evolution)
  • Re: Hardy-Weinberg lawt
    ... > John Edser wrote: ... >> is actually just a binomial distribution ... Nor do I understand what he means by the law ... not to provide satisfaction. ...
    (sci.bio.evolution)