@kcuhcortsa Oh.

of course they are or is this one of those semantics things

@markdevenish I know what the word mutation meant too. I just wrote that, even though I didn't agree.

It does not conflict with Darwinian evolution, it does however rely on mutation for the sudden change. That is the whole oint of punctuated equilibrium. That is that reference I was making. It seems that both models co-exist.

@kcuhcortsa The article I provided states otherwise and is pretty specific. It reflects several I read a while back. There is apparently both methods in play. It might be that you are mistaken.

From my observation, any way to modify genes seems to be an acceptable way to produce a viable candidate for selection. Prior to gametes, wasn't mutation all we had? I don't think life is all that picky... it seems enthusiastic for good options. What about horizontal gene transfer? How long has that been going on and how does that play in?

Are you familiar with "convergent evolution"? It's the process in which distantly related organisms independently develop similar traits as a result of adapting to similar environments. Not just stuff like skin color... but eyes, and multi-cellularity itself arose through various mechanisms and structures independently derived, many times. I like to imagine this versatility extends through many scales of the living form and may well envelop the process of genetic refinement itself. A good idea is gonna find a way to happen?

I mean it does operate on the population level--because it's a large scale, slow process, but mutation is the driving force.

@kcuhcortsa, I'm literally majoring in Biology with a concentration that concerns evolution and have just been accepted into a master's program for Biology. I understand how mutation and evolution works.
Most mutations are non-deleterious or almost non-deleterious, yes some are bad--but some are also wonderful depending on the environment and needs of the organism.
Variety is what natural selection acts on and because the only way to have new varieties is through genetic recombination and mutations--mutation is an important factor in evolution. Evolution cannot occur without significant alterations in gene frequencies which is unlikely to occur in populations of organisms without the differentiation of accumulated mutations. The expression of different genes under different environmental conditions, is not evolution.

@kcuhcortsa I fail to understand why you are so insistent on denying the importance mutation in evolution. You remind me of a religious "true believer" who cannot face facts.

@kcuhcortsa, I kind of understand what you're trying to get at it, but I still wouldn't make the distinction between "random" and "helpful" mutations. If only because in doing so people then seem to make the mistake of thinking evolution is directed, when it is not (not inferring that by using this terminology you are). Organisms do not adapt to their environment prior to a selectional pressure, they can only utilize the variation and inevitable mutations that will occur in the next generation, to overcome those selectional pressures.