ELECTRONIC SIMULATION OF THE DYNAMICS OF EVOLVING BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS.
Abstract
A bionic investigation and modeling of organic evolution is described. The project was undertaken to provide a deeper understanding of the adaptive processes involved in organic evolution. Of particular interest was a comparison of self-organizing processes in evolutionary systems and analogous processes in trainable logical networks. The biological prototype for the model is the feral house mouse (Mus musculus) as it exists in semi-isolated populations in the southwestern United States. Special emphasis is given to a balanced lethal genetic system known to exist in the species. Using Monte Carlo techniques, the model simulates, for each individual, such events as the probability of survival, migration, mating, reproduction, mutation, genetic segregation, and natural selection. Implementation of the model on a digital computer is described. Results of experiments performed with the model show that the model behaves in a manner highly analogous to both the biological prototype and to certain aspects of trainable logical networks. Implications and theoretical investigations of the work for future developments in machine intelligence are discussed. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0635391
Entities
People
- Edward M. Connelly
- Judy M. Gervinski
- Keith E. Justice
Organizations
- Melpar