Douglas man, this is a public debate about the ethics of breeding designer colors, so if you have something to add, please do it in the forums (that is the point of this topic after all). You've posted three responses to me stating that I'm wrong and that it isn't very complicated, so by all means share the information!
The information I've laid out in my previous posts is what you'd get with a few semesters of college genetics, I'm not making things up. If for some reason ball pythons are above the statistical laws of genetics regarding breeding for homozygosity and gene fixation then I cede the argument. If you have compelling evidence that there is no increase in the number of pythons born homozygous for recessive deleterious alleles when inbred/linebred, then do share it.
Also, there is no need for ad hominem attacks - the number of reptiles I keep and the length I've kept them have absolutely nothing to do with my knowledge of genetics. My genetics professors weren't animal keepers but they still knew the science of genetics. On the other end of the spectrum there are many people who own and breed oodles of animals and have absolutely no knowledge of genetics.
You seem to have taken personal offense to my posts (which is probably to be expected in a debate forum) but if you reread, you'll see that I have not attacked you at all. On the flip-side, you've insulted me in every post you've made responding to me ("Actually Minotaur is not that very clear or well thought out.", "...I suspect that Minotaur is relatively new at this whole reptile hobby...", and the third post, where it is implied that I'm inexperienced and a liar.) I'm not sure why this is, but once again, I'm welcoming you to share your knowledge (with myself and all the other debaters), as that is what this debate forum is all about. A debate is not about winning, it's about comparing viewpoints and learning - if you provide a good argument and it turns out that by some flaw in my education or logic I am wrong then I will gladly cede the point as that is the true spirit of scientific inquiry.
Anyhow, I have no hard feelings man. I can see that you are passionate about this topic, and that is worthy of respect. Have a good one man, I look forward to your response.
Ken
The information I've laid out in my previous posts is what you'd get with a few semesters of college genetics, I'm not making things up. If for some reason ball pythons are above the statistical laws of genetics regarding breeding for homozygosity and gene fixation then I cede the argument. If you have compelling evidence that there is no increase in the number of pythons born homozygous for recessive deleterious alleles when inbred/linebred, then do share it.
Also, there is no need for ad hominem attacks - the number of reptiles I keep and the length I've kept them have absolutely nothing to do with my knowledge of genetics. My genetics professors weren't animal keepers but they still knew the science of genetics. On the other end of the spectrum there are many people who own and breed oodles of animals and have absolutely no knowledge of genetics.
You seem to have taken personal offense to my posts (which is probably to be expected in a debate forum) but if you reread, you'll see that I have not attacked you at all. On the flip-side, you've insulted me in every post you've made responding to me ("Actually Minotaur is not that very clear or well thought out.", "...I suspect that Minotaur is relatively new at this whole reptile hobby...", and the third post, where it is implied that I'm inexperienced and a liar.) I'm not sure why this is, but once again, I'm welcoming you to share your knowledge (with myself and all the other debaters), as that is what this debate forum is all about. A debate is not about winning, it's about comparing viewpoints and learning - if you provide a good argument and it turns out that by some flaw in my education or logic I am wrong then I will gladly cede the point as that is the true spirit of scientific inquiry.
Anyhow, I have no hard feelings man. I can see that you are passionate about this topic, and that is worthy of respect. Have a good one man, I look forward to your response.
Ken