A mutation in a DNA molecule within a chromosome of a skin cell in my index finger has no influence on… — Carl Sagan
A mutation in a DNA molecule within a chromosome of a skin cell in my index finger has no influence on heredity. Fingers are not involved, at least directly, in the propagation of the species.
p. 27Source: Wikiquote · CC BY-SA 4.0
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There is a popular contention that half or more of the brain is unused. From an evolutionary point of view this would be quite extraordinary: why should it have evolved if it had no function? But actually the statement is made on very little evidence.
p. 31
Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
p. 7
Note that in all this interaction between mutation and natural selection, no moth is making a conscious effort to adapt to a changed environment. The process is random and statistical.
p. 28

