Perhaps, but my point was differences we know that come from dominate genes are not called mutations. It seems likely we just don't understand the DNA code enough to state what is a mutation and what is not. Humans' evolving better brains is not through mutation but rather gradual change because intelligence is becoming more important to survival.
In the original case of the spider perhaps the sight gene was just turned off and could just as easily be turned back on if need be, thus not a random mutation but a natural response to the environment. On 12/13/10, erikhansen@thebluezone.net <erikhansen@thebluezone.net>
wrote:
If a parent has blue eyes and the offspring has brown, is that a mutation? I apologize for the over simplification. The genetic code is a long way form being figured out, it has only been crudely mapped.
With respect, you are overcomplicating the issue a bit, Erik.
Blue-eyed offspring from brown-eyed parents still got their DNA through one parent or the other; traits such as this, whether from recessive or dominant genes, are still due to the offspring's lineage, not a random mutation. I think most people accept the larger definition without picking nits.
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