Re: Do you disagree with the Modern Synthesis Mr. Hoelzer?

From: Guy Hoelzer (hoelzer_at_unr.edu)
Date: 08/21/04 

Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2004 16:42:08 +0000 (UTC)

Michael,

in article cg564k$16gk$1@darwin.ediacara.org, Michael Ragland at
ragland37@webtv.net wrote on 8/20/04 8:42 AM:

> The Modern Evolutionary Synthesis AKA neo-Darwinism combines Darwin's
> theory of the evolution of the species by natural selection with
> Mendelian inheritance. Don't you consider that an example of natural
> selection transmitting information to gene pools, of natural selection
> being linked to inheritance?

The framework of the Modern Synthesis explicitly separates the processes of
natural selection and inheritance. I can only agree with the last part
suggesting a link between the two processes. Reproduction and heritability
are necessary, but insufficient, conditions for natural selection to occur
under the neo-Darwinian paradigm.

> The brief article states, "Evolution consists primarily of changes in
> the frequencies of alleles between one generation and another as a
> result of genetic drift, gene flow and natural selection." I'm astounded
> we apparently take opposing views on this matter.

I think that this quote is an accurate and concise statement of
neo-Darwinian paradigm, and I am quite comfortable thinking about evolution
in these terms. We apparently do not take opposing views here.
 
Cheers,

Guy

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