Can information be gained in mutation?

Question

In this experiment, yeast were grown for 450 generations in a glucose poor medium.

http://mbe.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/15/8/931

Three copies of a hybrid gene that transport glucose were added to the sequence at the end of the experiment.

If you define information at the DNA level, this is a novel sequence with the preexisting sequences conserved.

If you define information as mRNA transcription, there is more mRNA produced.

Many Creationists assert that information cannot be gained in mutation. Here you have three new copies of a gene which is a hybrid of two other genes. You have a sequence not before seen producing additional mRNA transcripts.

Answer 1

The evolved yeasts at the end of the experiment had "multiple tandem duplications involving two highly similar, high- affinity hexose transport loci, HXT6 and HXT7".

In other words, information was added as a result of selection pressure over 450 generations of reproduction.

I think it's in R and S because the assertion that selection can't result in increased information is a common claim against the ToE, and is often seen in these pages. This experiment demonstrates very elegantly that such a claim is invalid.

Answer 2

I didn't understand, where is the information bit of the question? can you clarify?
you mean genetic information.
This is a big proof of evolution, and microorganisms are the fastest in this, you can see this also in anti-biotic resistant bacteria which once were vulnerable to some antibiotics and then they become resistant after taking a certain antibiotic. Like the multiple resistant TB.
living organisms are always evolving into better species with improved functions and suitable to the environment they live in, that is natural selection and survival of the fittest. The example you provided proves that yeast is modifying its genetic consequences for a better survival after modifying their medium, and are evolving into new strains that can cope with the new changes.

Answer 3

as you indicate, it's all in how you define information. creationists always attempt to define information in such a way that it can never increase by mutation. it's quite the mystery to me why they think that this proves anything. wouldn't it be better to say that mutation generates variety, and subsequently selection amplifies the varieties that are useful? the concept of information is perhaps not required to explain the process at all.

Answer 4

I bet all of the christians are looking up what mRNA is.

Answer 5

and the religious and spiritual significance is..........??