Proposal
The published literature on the evidence for a mutational meltdown of life was reviewed. Although only a small percent of all mutations are detrimental enough to cause disease, the total number occurring in each generation is significant. It was once concluded that the vast majority of all mutations were neutral, but evidence now exists that indicates no or few mutations are truly neutral (though most mutations are near neutral). Clearly negative or harmful mutations are often effectively eliminated from the gene pool, and it is the “near-neutral” mutations that are causing mutational meltdown. Depending on the specific set of mutations, near-neutral mutations can accumulate only to a certain level before they are collectively lethal. It is concluded that the accumulation of mutations is a major problem for Darwinism because the large number of near-neutral mutations that
are not readily selected out of the gene pool accumulate in each generation, eventually causing extinction. Mutations, rather then being the engine that drives evolution upward, are, instead, causing degeneration of the genome. Evolution is occurring, but going the wrong way, as predicted by the creation model. The reasons why mutations are accumulating in the genome are discussed in some
detail.
Keywords
Mutations, Mutational meltdown, Code degeneration, Near neutral mutations, Species aging, Extinction
Print Reference
Pages 99-110
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Recommended Citation
Bergman, Jerry
(2008)
"Progressive Evolution or Degeneration?,"
Proceedings of the International Conference on Creationism: Vol. 6, Article 11.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/icc_proceedings/vol6/iss1/11