The Evidence for Evolution
By no name
@Zmugzy (773)
March 7, 2007 8:06am CST
Some people have argued that evolution as a theory cannot be observed or tested. However, the very rapid evolution of viruses and bacteria can be easily observed. Antibiotic resistant strains of many kinds of bacteria have evolved from strains that were very susceptible to these same antibiotics.
5 people like this
13 responses
@rhinoboy (2129)
•
9 Mar 07
As only an interested 'layman', I can only state that the evidence provided for evolution seems to me, much more credible than any half-baked theory of creationism or 'intelligent design'.
To see the 'whole equation' one would need to trace back every living organism on earth over millions or billions of generations, back to the actual origin of life.
Since this is quite obviously impossible, i would only argue that the Darwinian theory is the most plausible explaination from the information available.
I am deeply disturbed by religous faith meddling in the work of science. My belief is that the earliest forms of religion were an attempt by mankind to attribute that which he could not understand to the work or will of a supreme being or force. Since the earth is such a wonderfully complex 'organism' as a whole, science still has ground to cover before everything is properly understood. Religious organisations are opposed to this on the grounds that science is cutting into their market share of people who are confused and seeking guidance.
4 people like this
@jricbt (1454)
• Brazil
7 Mar 07
The creationists will call it microevolution.
And you (or others) will ask : And why can't these changes be acumulated over long periods of time and the end result be a new species population.
The creationists will change the subject, or ignore you (yes, they will not answer it) or use any fallacy at hand.
I liked the discussion, a lot. But you know, trained creationists parrots are always like that.
@Fargale (760)
• Brazil
7 Mar 07
Yep, we already know the default explanation from Creationists or the Intelligent Alien Designer proponents: they say that it's all "microevolution" and that, for some reason, these changes couldn't accumulate over time to get to a point where the species becomes different enough to be considered a different species.
They create an imaginary "limit" to the changes a species could undertake, but never bother to explain why that limit would exist, or propose an experiment to prove that this imaginary limit does exist.
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
8 Mar 07
You're not understanding, the antibiotic kills off the weaker bacteria, and the stronger bacteria multiplies. This is natural selection and was believed in and observed long before Darwin.
Some christians may not study the topic deep enough, but neither do lay evolutionists. Evolution is a faith. (And stae enforced belief.)
There are many scientists who are non evolutionists.
Saying all christians lack knowledge is the same as when christians say evoltionists are sinners running from God.. Each is merely a form of marginalizing the other side to the issue and this is common, yes, when there is lack of knowledge (research and study).
Nobody studies (or should I say most? many? do not study) this issue. Christian or non christian. Both are relying on faith/belief.
Micro evolution, is one answer. There are many. But if you are a teacher, you can lose your job for raising any of the MANY questions, troubles, anomalies...
:))
2 people like this
@Thomas73 (1467)
• Switzerland
7 Mar 07
The establishment of phylogenetic trees is an even better proof of the fact of evolution, although many lay people may be a bit confused. The 'unnatural' selection of resistant strains of bacteria by antibiotic reflect quite well the natural selection that happens when (an) environmental factor(s) provide(s) better chances of survival when a mutation is present.
Anyway, who are those people who pretend to be able to discuss biology with biologists whereas all they know is their church and its dubious teachings? Do they really know better because they believe in old superstitions? I'd say that it actually shows quite the opposite!
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
8 Mar 07
All mutations are a breakdown in order and efficiency. There are many scientiest who are not evolutionists. Plants and animals can only adapt, as in for instance there is a drought, the plants and trees able to grow longer roots will survive. But the ability to grow deeper roots must be in their DNA.
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@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
16 Mar 07
The gene changes into something that is not related to the parents. Layman's term for mutation.
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@mi2ok02 (406)
• United States
7 Mar 07
That isn't proof that we came from monkeys. I believe we were made as we are now. And it is what we were meant to be. This isn't really worth arguing over. Evolution is just a theory. Always has been and always will be.
@jamin_i (71)
• India
14 Mar 07
yes it is true that 'theory of evolution' does not explain the formation of life.It is interesting why Darwin named his book 'Origin of the species' when it talks about the evolution of species.The fact that 94% of the DNA strands of all known animal species are same proves that we share the same traits and are descended from the same mother.I feel that it is very difficult to trace the origin of life since it is a result of an event which is very unlikely to happen.You can only predict what could have happened but could not prove that.
@munhozmib (3836)
• Sao Paulo, Brazil
30 Apr 07
The Evolution can be observed. If you start to think well of it, Humans are evoluting. Now, there are some humans that are born without one thing inside their bodies (I forgot what it was). It is something related to digesting food. Since now we always eat things that can easily be digested, we lost that thing inside our body.
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@munhozmib (3836)
• Sao Paulo, Brazil
7 May 07
Yes, I think that's the thing I was talking about. I dunno if it really is apendix, I heard it in portuguese, so I don't know. But it was something like that.
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
8 Mar 07
Actually the antibiotic kills off the weaker bacteria and the strong multiply, this is called building up resistance, but it's not evolution, as the stronger bacteria were there to start with.
@Thomas73 (1467)
• Switzerland
8 Mar 07
The antibiotics *select* the bacteria and only those who contain a resistance plasmid survive. That's what Nature does when a mutation in a species favours survival in a given environment. Evolution is the result of the joint action of mutations and selection.
2 people like this
@ESKARENA1 (18261)
•
19 Mar 07
this is a very good point. We can actually see evolution in action with the adaption of bacteria to anti biotics. wE HAVE TO ACCEPT IT, EVEN IF IT GOES AGAINST RELIGIOUS TEACHING. rEMEMBER, THE GOD BOTHERERS TOLD US THE WORLD WAS FLAT for many many years, blessed be
@leavert65 (1018)
• Puerto Rico
20 Mar 07
And some people accept by FAITH that it's millions of years old. Or maybe you could explain why you know for a fact that the earth is millions of years old. It's not enough to simply say, that's what science tells us since there are scientists that say both.
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@Perry2007 (2229)
• Philippines
16 Mar 07
I personally not believe in this theory. However if ther are some evidences presented let it be known and its relative issue connecting it to the theory. Who knows? one men was right when he was the only one who believed the world is round instead of Flat that every one believed in.
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
16 Mar 07
Why is it Christians want us to believe something against nature?
With no proof. Thats like convicting someone for murder while the person who they were supposed have killed is in TX visiting her mother. Nonsense. LOL.
I do believe the bible is a good book & provides a good outline for life but revelations is when you die folks nothing more. Notice how the old testament is wild & full of revenge like a child. The new testament is mellow and forgiving like an adult. Then you die. Good rules. Don't kill. Play nice. But a book written by humans isn't going to prove some god made me.
A god who would let his planet go to waste like Earth doesn't deserve worship.
@leavert65 (1018)
• Puerto Rico
16 Mar 07
Why do evolutionists want us to believe in something against nature?
Right. Maybe God should just take over. Man has too much self-rule and freedom of choice. If he were to eliminate all of that then he would deserve at least some kind of gratitude right?
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
16 Mar 07
Sorry to bring up the c word. I should have read the entire post and not half of it. You guys brought up plenty of valid points however there will always be some one to doubt it for the sake of argument if nothing else.
The similarities of our bones tells how close we are to the other animals. Evolution wasn't that far away. We are closer to animals than most believe. We resort to our animal instincts every time we get angry while driving or get into a fight for no reason. Put a man in a boat & I be you he will rip the flesh off of a fish with his teeth or eat bugs to survive.
They said domestic pigs reverted to their wild ways by growing tusks & fur in 2 weeks. Man 2 days.
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
16 Mar 07
I never said I wanted you to believe anything. And if you have read some of my other posts I say It is your right to pursue happiness however you see fit. Do what ever you want as long as it does not hurt anyone.
But you have to give me credit. A god who would let his planet go to waste like Earth doesn't deserve worship. That was a good one.
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@movikings27 (107)
• United States
30 Apr 07
I think the part of evolution that many (including myself) say cannot be observed or tested is the change from one species to another. No where have we seen a cat change into a dog, or a chimp/ape change into a human. If this indeed were the case of what created the world and everything we see here, wouldn't you think there would still be some half mutated "beings" around? ie...man with ape feet, or ape with man feet, since these things are not around, it is, in my belief, easy to say evolution is just a theory (and religion) and there is no facts that support this as being anything but a theory.
@Chiang_Mai_boy (3882)
• Thailand
1 May 07
While the fossil record is incomplete the evidence obtained from DNA and genome research leaves no doubt. Apes and men share a common ancestor and evolution is a real, ongoing precess.
http://tinyurl.com/ysuza
@Zmugzy (773)
•
30 Apr 07
Thanks for your comment. Evolution does not work in the way you seem to think. It is a gradual and subtle process that takes place over tens of housands of years. Evolution is a scientific theory based on scientific evidence. Religion is an irrational belief system that does not require scientific evidence.
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@movikings27 (107)
• United States
30 Apr 07
You did not answer the question. The theory of evolution states just that, man evolved from "ape-like" animals. Where do we find the bones of these missing links. Taking a look at an ape foot and a humans foot, lets look at the "big toe". On an ape, this toe comes off to the side whereas ours come to the top. Where is the fossil records showing this slow ascend of the big toe? Also, where are the fossil records of any species "evolving" to a completely different one? These are the questions I believe evolutionists need to answer.
@buri2_jaemon (619)
• Indonesia
8 May 07
hm..well i don't know about what you said but i agree that evolution is happened
