|
Post by Pimpmaster McSlap-Bitch on Dec 23, 2004 8:43:28 GMT -5
I`m wondering why humans, and all other creatures aren`t hermaphrodites. I saw on Animal Planet last night, some dude (not Steve Irwin, the other better guy) was talking about how a species of snake had a hemi-penis (the penis hadn`t completely evolved yet). He said in 100,000 years or so, the animal would be asexual and able to start a population anywhere it pleases (obviously conditions such as food and climate permitting - I suppose the act of starting isn`t the act of sustaining anyway, but that`s just semantics). I guess I should add this, since it might be of some worth, the snakes were found on a small island isolated from the mainland. Doesn`t it make sense that we should be able to do that?
I`m thinking the reason most animals are not asexual is to insure the passing of bad genes doesn`t happen, but even if it does, the offspring would be at fault and unsuccessful and would likely die anyway, ending the passing of any crappy gene. In a different way, it`s still survival of the fittest (not that I adhere totally to the idea). So I`m stuck at square one.
Anyway, what do you think? I`d like to hear personal theories on the matter and, if someone can find it, the most widely accepted explaination of why this is so. I`d also like to hear some religious reasons why. I`m saying what I`d like to hear (quite bossily I suppose) because what I don`t want to hear is about how stupid and irresponsible modern man is. Quite frankly it seems to be said in every post and is extremely cliche. When talking about man in this instance, we`re talking about all man, Sapien, Erectus, Australopithicus and the Ape family, and that`s among the others in the animal kingdom who aren`t asexual.
|
|
|
Post by animascura on Dec 23, 2004 15:17:42 GMT -5
Hrmm......i will take it upon myself to venture into one of your points...that of genetic differences and passing on bad genes. You were right to an extent, except that the purpose of sexuall reproduction is to create a variety. If everything reproduced Asexually, there would be no variation, and the entire species could fall prey to a certain disease or shortcoming. In cases like these it has nothing to do "bad genes that can be eliminated," because chances are that all specimens of that species has the set of genes suceptibal...(SP???) to the disease, meaning all of them would die. Evolution would also not be possible without sexuall reproduction...not to the extent that it has happenned now, because evolution would have to rely solely on mutations. Now that i think about my previous words, sexuall reproduction could be possible amongst hermaphrodites....it would just severly limit variability. Mutations could still occur, leading to eventuall evolution, but that same creature which has the mutation could easily fall prey to another genetic disease, and since no other specimen carries that mutation, evolution would be hindered. k....there.... o.o
|
|
|
Post by Pimpmaster McSlap-Bitch on Dec 24, 2004 9:00:17 GMT -5
You kind of agreed with what I said I think, elaborating on it. But when you speak of evolution, you speak of it as if it is something that a species actively seeks to do. Also, I`m not sure how much more or less suseptable to disease or shortcomings human beings are to those snakes. It seems humans also have their fair share of diseases spread through out most of the population. I would imagine that if we were trying to evade genetic shortcomings and diseases, we would be much more different from each other than we are now (I say this without knowing exactly how different we are from person to person and also how much difference is enough to matter). If the snakes come upon a certain disease, they may all die; if we come upon a certain disease, we may all die, both species with the exception of a mutation among the ranks. I feel what you`re saying though, I`m just playing devils advocate. So why is there asexuality in the first place if it`s such a dead end? And guys, don`t feel afraid to post. These are opinions after all
|
|
KitsuneTsuki
Thief
Made of 100% cotton, machine-wash safe./--/
Posts: 19
|
Post by KitsuneTsuki on Dec 24, 2004 23:18:40 GMT -5
It still exists because it's more convienent to be able to bear offspring every season without actually having to find a mate. Typically asexuallity is only developed in animals that live in an area where a possible mate would be difficult to come by.
It's about living for now; not 500000 years from now.
|
|
Asharrod
Knight
Did God Create Man or did Man Create God?/--//--/
Posts: 59
|
Post by Asharrod on Feb 13, 2005 9:46:09 GMT -5
Hemaphrodites do occur in nature. My sisters ex-boyfriends grandfather had a cat. They had him fixed. 2 years later the same cat had kittens. It is wierd but they do occur. As for asexual reproduction it is seen in lizards in the united states. there is a species of lizard that was created by the chance mating and inadvertant cross of 2 seperate species of lizard. the result instead of being sterile had DNA that coded for a triploid gamete set allowing for parthenogenesis. all members of the species are female and reproduce in said way. they can't interbreed with anyother species due to the triploid condition. they are effectively isolated from other gene pools and very susceptible to being exterminated if they run into trouble with a bacteria that specifically targets something they have a weakness for.
|
|
Kurdt Cobain
Shadow
if i dont believe in myself would that be blasphemy?
Posts: 74
|
Post by Kurdt Cobain on Mar 14, 2005 11:08:02 GMT -5
on the topic of diseases
did you know most europeans are immune to the black death? (dunno what die pest is called in english) for a big deal of the population died only the ones that didnt catch it or that were immune would survive and with an epidemia like the one we had that leaves almost only the immune ones:P
in fact i believe sex survived because it sells, meaning that the occasional mutation such as the crippled vertebral column that was the start of all mankind can forcefully makes its way... but what does all this matter to a species that hasnt done but degenaration for thousands of years...
|
|
|
Post by Makku on Mar 14, 2005 22:26:45 GMT -5
|
|
Kurdt Cobain
Shadow
if i dont believe in myself would that be blasphemy?
Posts: 74
|
Post by Kurdt Cobain on Mar 15, 2005 3:18:18 GMT -5
i feel a certain tension... maybe you have a confession to make that we dont know about yet makku... is it gonna be a boy, a girl or just another piece of sand in your vagina?^^
|
|
|
Post by Makku on Mar 15, 2005 3:40:38 GMT -5
|
|
Kurdt Cobain
Shadow
if i dont believe in myself would that be blasphemy?
Posts: 74
|
Post by Kurdt Cobain on Mar 15, 2005 3:43:30 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Makku on Mar 15, 2005 3:57:07 GMT -5
*chuckles* Decent, decent. Truce for now? I vote we start an image war thread in which everyone attempts to pwn others to Macedonia and back. o.o
|
|
Kurdt Cobain
Shadow
if i dont believe in myself would that be blasphemy?
Posts: 74
|
Post by Kurdt Cobain on Mar 15, 2005 3:59:55 GMT -5
i cant arrange a fight when another one still has to be fought
|
|
|
Post by auraki on Mar 15, 2005 10:31:58 GMT -5
How about we do the flames part in the Chaos thread, hmm? ^^ Unless it is on topic and pertaining to the Deep Thought discussion, please use the Chao thread. I mean, damn, that's what it's there for. Kage ain't here to regulate, so I guess I have to be the kitten-like bully here. So please, by all means, rip on each other and make the other cry, just do it in Chaos. XD
|
|
Kurdt Cobain
Shadow
if i dont believe in myself would that be blasphemy?
Posts: 74
|
Post by Kurdt Cobain on Mar 15, 2005 11:57:37 GMT -5
i was simply defending myself and i like to keep the flaming inside teh ANIME
|
|
|
Post by Makku on Mar 15, 2005 12:32:22 GMT -5
The plight we plought? The fight we fought, Shall come to naught!?
Well, I'm distraught!!!
My first piece of poetry in about 3 years. You should be honored. XD But yes, I do believe we should keep this inside kaosu. I'll make a thread when I feel up to it. ^_^;
|
|