Genetic drift in evolution

This links to an excellent article, by Larry Moran of Sandwalk, on one of the basic mathematical concepts of genetics and how it connects to evolution.

“The two most important mechanisms of evolution are natural selection and random genetic drift. While most people have a reasonable understanding of natural selection, they don’t realize that random genetic drift is also important. The anti-evolutionists, in particular, tend to focus their attacks on natural selection, not realizing that there is much more to modern evolutionary biology.

“Charles Darwin didn’t know about random genetic drift but we now recognize drift as an important feature of evolution. This is one of the reasons why most modern evolutionary biologists no longer think of themselves as strict “Darwinists”. When you hear the anti-evolutionists equating “evolution” with “Darwinism” you know they haven’t done their homework!”

Follow the link to read more of this article and to find other excellent articles. (Hat tip to PZ Myers at Pharyngula.)