MadSci Network: Evolution
Query:

Re: are animals that havent evolved much less likely to get cancer?

Date: Sun Dec 10 20:52:40 2000
Posted By: Dr. Paramasivam Kumarasamy, Faculty, Zoology, The American College
Area of science: Evolution
ID: 975599440.Ev
Message:

1. The term "mutation" doesn't mean cancer.
2. The evolution operates on the following basic principles:
          a) Variations (caused by mutation which may be beneficial 
             or detrimental)
          b) Natural selection (only those that can live better in that
             niche alone can surivive in due course of time).
          c) Adaptation (the above process leads to this).
    As a result animal become "specialized" to live in a particular niche.
    As long the niche (specific environmental condition) doesn't change 
the animal continue to exist. This doesn't mean that there is NO mutation. 
There will be mutations, but those that are undesirable/harmful will be 
eliminated. This may look as if the animal has never changed (mutated).

If there is a abrupt change in the niche then the species (that is 
specialized to live in that particular environment) becomes extinct 
(example: dinosaurs). 




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