Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Science

Thor_MN

(11,843 posts)

5. DNA is neither smart nor stupid.

Reply to Warpy (Reply #3)

Mon Nov 3, 2014, 08:32 PM

Nov 2014

The DNA that creates the most/best offspring wins. The successful changes accumulate, the unsuccessful changes disappear. If environmental stress ramped up to the point that groups of changes are needed for success, then groups of changes will occur, they are simply the successful changes.

You answered your own question, without invoking some sort of unexplained "DNA intelligence". Life will adapt to conditions that don't out right kill it.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

9 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

When evolution gets weird... [View all] WillParkinson Nov 2014 OP

Awww, these critters just look goofy to the human eye Scootaloo Nov 2014 #1

Yeah, but the way sex works with Octopi is just sad. tclambert Nov 2014 #2

If you stare at a clear blue sky you can see the white blood cells in your retinal blood vessels. Odin2005 Nov 2014 #9

While I also appreciate the less attractive creatures Warpy Nov 2014 #3

DNA is neither smart nor stupid. Thor_MN Nov 2014 #5

Evolution is indeed weird sometimes. AverageJoe90 Nov 2014 #4

Just FYI about the Cheetah JayhawkSD Nov 2014 #6

A Lovecraft birthday balloon!!!.... Spitfire of ATJ Nov 2014 #7

Watch out for this spider... hunter Nov 2014 #8