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codyish t1_j9idhaz wrote

Reply to comment by Marsdreamer in What are more accepted hypotheses that similarly explain the aspects of hominid evolution that the "pseudoscientific" aquatic ape theory does? by KEVLAR60442

So much this. I can't believe how many highly educated and smart people, some in biological sciences, can't accept that many traits appear for no reason and don't disappear because they have no reason to. My advisor used to say, "evolution doesn't have to help you to happen; it just can't kill you or make others not want to fuck you".

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CarpeCol t1_j9j6djk wrote

There are some traits that have no impact on survival or reproduction, but are expressed because the genes for that trait are found very close to the genes for another trait that does impact survival or reproduction. This can result in the first trait being passed to the next generation along with the second trait.

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danby t1_j9jy3dw wrote

A problem here is how we teach evolution; that traits (and by extension) genes are selected. But the reality is in any given environment only a subset of traits are under active selection pressure. Most genes are free to drift by chance and appear and disappear.

I have somewhere of the order of 20-24k genes. I live in an environment where we estimate that 2000-4000 humans gene show adaptations to settled agriculture and cities. Less than half of human genes are estimated to be house keeping (i.e. required by all cells)

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