One of the standard arguments of anti-evolutionists is that evolution is very unlikely because most mutations are harmful.

In fact, it seems that most mutations are neutral, with only a few being either harmful or beneficial depending on the environment that the organism finds itself in. Various projects are deliberately inducing mutations in, for example, food crops and decorative plants in order to bring about beneficial changes. If the anti-evolutionists were correct these projects would simply fail.

Further than this, scientists have messed with the control mechanisms that tell genes when to turn on and off. Every gene in your body contains the genes for insulin, for making toenails, and for creating brain cells, yet fortunately most of those genes are turned off in most cells most of the time. A complex regulation system tells genes that it’s time to get to work. Messing with that system would seem to be a recipe for catastrophe, and yet it’s not.

When the regulatory mechanisms in E.coli were randomly rewired, 95% percent or the organisms did just fine, and some even benefited.

Mutations can be beneficial. Evolution happens.

Anti-evolutionists (mainly conservative Christians) will pay no attention, of course. As I wrote yesterday, we tend to ignore or dismiss evidence that contradicts our beliefs.