r/interestingasfuck 29d ago

/r/all Chick with genetic defect

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u/Ill-Agent7195 29d ago

Defect? You mean 4x4 upgrade?

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u/Grueaux 29d ago edited 28d ago

Honestly I use the word "defect" less and less these days because I think it's more accurate to refer to these as natural variations. "Defect" assumes things are supposed to be a certain way, but biology doesn't have any direction, it just keeps exploring what is possible in every which way it can, and natural selection filters out some variations. Some variations really are upgrades.

Edit: I'm not saying all variations are helpful! Most aren't.

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u/A_Cool_Eel 29d ago

I read the article, it has trouble shitting because the leg is where the butt should be and had to be moved to a personal place because the hind legs could be mistaken for worms causing other chicks to attack it.

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u/Grueaux 28d ago

I'm not saying this variation is an upgrade. I'm also not saying most variations aren't helpful. I'm just saying that life does what it does without any underlying direction or purpose.