"Tom Adams"  wrote in message 
news:cmtdud$1fmr$1{at}darwin.ediacara.org...
> Is there a mathematical or statistical theory of evolution that allow
> the calculation or estimation of the amount of trial and error it
> takes to produce a particular organism.
>
> Suppose that you had to argue that humans did not evolve from
> single-celled organisms in 10,000 years without using historical data,
> but just based on the limited capabilities of the trial and error
> process that was available over that period.  Is there a developed
> mathematical or statistical theory that addresses this kind of
> question?
>


Well the big problem in such a calculation--what about things such as our 
agricultural crops and domestic farm animals?  Their evolution has rapidly 
been forced to change by our intervention, as well as other domestic animals 
and plants.

These alterations in genetic codes cannot really be done in such a 
straightforward calculation, so it really wouldn't apply to real life.


-- 
"For nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law 
of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced."--Albert Einstein
--XeNO
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