Tom Adams  wrote or quoted:

> 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.

After reading Jim's post on Haldane's dilemma, this springs to mind:

``A Speed Limit For Evolution''

 - http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/jcollie/sle/

However, I rate it as junk science: practically every word of it is 
mistaken :-|

As with Haldane's dilemma, selective deaths are emphasised as a means
of transmitting information from the environment into the genome.

Again, as with Haldane's dilemma, other methods of injecting
such information - such as sexual selection - are barely mentioned.
-- 
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