In article <3rdl9n$66e at ixnews4.ix.netcom.com>,
Jonah Thomas <JEThomas at ix.netcom.com> wrote:
>This leads to a potential problem for evolution: When there are
>multiple copies of a gene, a mutation for improved function will have
>a diluted effect.
It also leads to an _opportunity_ for evolution, since one copy of
a duplicated gene can diverge greatly from the common ancestor
without depriving the organism of an essential function. Sometimes
entirely new, rather than merely "improved", functions can result
from this.
--
Steve LaBonne ******************* (labonnes at cnsunix.albany.edu)
"It can never be satisfied, the mind, never." - Wallace Stevens
