On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 17:04:33 +0000 (UTC), robsroom{at}hotmail.com (Rob)
wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I have a limited understanding of Evolution (A-Level), so please
>excuse me if my understanding is not correct.  I want to know if there
>is any research that discusses the direction of evolution.  Sure as we
>evolve we adapt to best suit the current environment but that isn't to
>say that evolution is a 'good thing' as it is generally assumed?  Just
>because we evolve, it doesn't mean we become a better species, just
>better able to cope with the current environment?  Is statement true?
>
>Any thoughts appreciated.
>
>Rob

In general, you are right.  Natural selection works in a direction to
make populations more fit; better able to produce functional offspring
in a particular environment.  It is nothing whatsoever to do with
getting "better" or becoming more "perfect".  In fact, the terms
"evolutionarily advanced" and "evolutionarily
primitive".  You can be
"evolutionarily derived" from some ancestral form meaning only that
you have changed.  You don't specify that the change was an
"advancement" or resulted in "progress".
---
þ RIMEGate(tm)/RGXPost V1.14 at BBSWORLD * Info{at}bbsworld.com

---
 * RIMEGate(tm)V10.2áÿ* RelayNet(tm) NNTP Gateway * MoonDog BBS
 * RgateImp.MoonDog.BBS at 9/29/04 10:00:45 PM