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CSFilm/Easytiger, going back to my previous comments on the plague in Europe: a small (micro-sized) difference in DNA leads to a large (macro-sized) difference in survival chances. One tiny genetic "abnormality" has become the norm in the whole of western Europe as a result. This genetic difference also leads to a slight difference in resistance to AIDS.
If we move the whole scene forward: if nature is allowed to take it's course, pretty much the whole of Africa will die of AIDS, *except* those people that are resistant, thanks to genetic mutations. Sure, these people may not have an extra arm, or be able to breath underwater, but they're different nonetheless. This is pretty much what evolution is all about - small mutations leading to enhanced survivability. In the long run, those small mutations will add up to a huge difference.
Hell, we force animals to mutate every single day: professional (dog/horse/cow) breeders select animals with the traits they want to enhance, and let them breed. The results are apparent: all the breeds of dogs you see today have a common ancestor. Some of these dogs have more fur than others (allowing them to survive in cold areas), some have extremely short legs (allowing them to enter rabbit holes), some even have a very oily coat (allowing them to swim in freezing water), etc. etc.. Clearly large (macro) differences.
Right?
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