The Outline

History
Mutations in the genes of animals have been occurring since animals were first formed, each lending progress toward improving or depleting a species. Each of these articles cover slightly or greatly differing viewpoints on the world of mutations. Articles written on scientific studies, factual examples of animal mutations, the environments impact on these, and the kinds of mutations available.

Thesis
While man is part of the world and people assume any mutation caused by humans is therefore, natural, humans have their own unique and various forms of pollution. Ones that usually cause a negative mutation in animals, while the natural environment brings about changes to make stronger animals or phase out the weaker of a species’ population.

Major Points
I. Human pollution forces genetic changes.

1. Quote E1, Quote E2, Quote E3.
2. Source E: Mice and sea gull mutations in urban areas compared to rural areas were higher.
3. Source E: Mice and sea gulls near steel mills and highways had a higher number of mutations compared to other areas.

II. Human influence on genetic mutation is generally negative.

1. Source E: Mice bred from a control group and a polluted group showed higher mutations passed to the offspring in the pollution influenced group, showing hereditary, negative mutations.
2. Source D: Large populations of flightless birds lived in New Zealand mountains, but are now nearly extinct after humans came to shore with mammals such as cats.

III. The natural environment does not cause mutations, but does determine their usefulness.

1. Quote B2, Quote D2, Quote D3.
2. Source D: Penguins in Antarctica have experienced several mutations making them flightless with webbed feet and heavy with insulating blubber. This allows for a greater chance of survival in this environment, but in another, their inability to fly, extra weight, and slow movement on land would be a great hindrance.

IV. Most mutations in animals are beneficial in the long run.

1. Quote B1, Quote C1, Quote C2.
2. Source B and C: Good mutations stay, spread through offspring and eventually become a natural characteristic or a new type of species, such as Darwin’s finches.
3. Source B: Bad mutations are eliminated quickly because the animal will not survive well with it, allowing only room for a slightly negative mutation to persist.
4. Source C: The progress in species today would not exist if all mutations were negative, everything would still be as it was thousands of years ago.

Objective Points
I. All mutations are bad or useless.

1. Supported by Source A, Quote A1 and Quote A2.
2. Rebuttal: The world’s wildlife would not be where it is today if every mutation had no or only negative impact.

II. Humans are part of the world, therefore their impact is natural.

1. Rebuttal: People are innovative, not living in a natural environment; the resulting pollution is unnatural and unhealthy.

III. The environment does cause genetic mutations.

1. Rebuttal: The natural environment cannot physically alter genes; mutations are the result of a change in the type or number of chemicals or bases in DNA.