Originally posted by robbie carrobie
Im not sure of the use of the word, venerable here, but you may cite artistic license, that's fine, here is what the journal Scientific American had to say, 'the life of every organism and its continuity from generation to generation” are preserved “by enzymes that continually repair” genetic damage. It further states “In particular, significant dama ...[text shortened]... re synthesized.” - Scientific American, Irreducible repair of DNA, Paul Howard Flanders, p.72
Regarding DNA mutations, what is your actual argument?
Are you claiming that:
1. DNA never mutates.
You don't appear to be claiming this as you clearly admit variation within species and some of your quotes talk of mutations.
2. DNA mutations are too rare for speciation to occur.
If this is your claim then can you cite actual figures as otherwise your argument is mere unfounded skepticism.
To uphold your claim you must show:
a) An upper bound to the rate of mutations.
b) The minimum number of mutations required to create a new species.
c) That a) can never lead to b) within the known age of the earth (whatever you hold that to be).
So for example if you hold that on average there is only one mutation in every 1000 generations (references for your figure must be provided), and you need a minimum of 1 million mutations for speciation to be considered to have occurred (again some references) then you must show that no organism on earth could have had 1000 million generations within the history of the earth. (references).
Or do you have some other argument?