r/interestingasfuck • u/Significant_Snow_718 • 29d ago

/r/all Chick with genetic defect

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u/Lou_LL_11 29d ago

Genetic defect is just another word for evolution.

271

u/StonedEnby 29d ago

Not really. A genetic defect is a precursor to evolution. If the trait doesn’t benefit the animal and isn’t passed on with reproduction there is no evolutionary process, just a dead mutant.

2

u/ResplendentShade 29d ago

I imagine the “shoulder” joints are still set up for flapping (and not running) too, meaning that in the case of needing to escape a predator all it can do is flap its front legs which is almost certainly worse for getting a burst of speed. Bad mutation.

2

u/michael-65536 29d ago

May not be. If it's a HOX gene mutation (control what grows where), then it may not have shoulders, it may have hip joints there.

2

u/CreepyValuable 29d ago

That's a good point that I've never considered. I kind of wish some video existed.