Re: Instinctual genetic retention

[Derek Tearne <derek@iconz.co.nz>]

wHy do I have this irrisitable urge to change the 
subject line too 'Instinctual anal retention'?

> 
> Linking behavior to genetics seems as plausable as attaching irridium to the
> K/T boundary, again form my point of view. Sorry, but I see no other
> explination for unique species behavior. 

There is no question that the iridium layer and the K/T boundary are 
temporally related.  As indeed are the Deccan trap vulcanism.
However, saying that the iridium layer a) has an extra terrestrial 
origin and b) that extra-terrestrial origin was causally related to 
the demise of the dinosaurs et al, is still a highly contentious issue.

Consider for a moment why any animal has the ability to learn.

If your premise is correct and all behaviour is genetic in 
origin then there would be no requirement for an animal to 
learn anything from it's parents or from outside experience.

Everything it required for it's survival would, of necessity, 
be pre-programmed from birth.  The only way such behaviour could 
be changed is by whatever processes of selection cause any other 
heritable feature fo be passed on to subsequent generations.

This is clearly not the case.  Many animals possess the ability 
to learn new behaviour and to teach their offspring such learned 
behaviour. 

This alone is surely enough to show that inheritance alone 
is not enough.

---
Derek Tearne.                 --            derek@iconz.co.nz   
Some of the more environmentally aware dinosaurs were worried about the
consequences of an accident with the new Iridium enriched fusion reactor.
"If it goes off only the cockroaches and mammals will survive..." they said.