“But, more than half of mammals (in many, perhaps most, species) die without reproducing. Wouldn’t this result in a higher rate of selection and, therefore, more functional DNA?”
“Yes, many mammals give birth to more than 4 children, but neither does selection perfectly eliminate all but the most fit organisms. The speed limit on evolution is an upper bound, not an average.”
“But, more than half of mammals (in many, perhaps most, species) die without reproducing. Wouldn’t this result in a higher rate of selection and, therefore, more functional DNA?”
“Yes, many mammals give birth to more than 4 children, but neither does selection perfectly eliminate all but the most fit organisms. The speed limit on evolution is an upper bound, not an average.”