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Face · 12-03-2012, 02:24 PM

Off the top of my head:

Why evolution?

1. Populations have been shown to be able to diverge individual traits over time. This can be directly observed in real time through natural and artificial selection.

2. Isolated populations have genes which do not exist in other populations of the same species. Indicating that these genes were altered or created post seperation/isolation. ie blonde hair, lactose intolerance.

3. Ergo, isolated populations can demonstrably diverge from the original both physically and genetically over time. This is the starting point for the theory of evolution.

4. Fossil records show incremental development of skeletal structure, size etc over the ages. Most species/order have precursors in the fossil record, showing gradual change over time (such as horses). We share dna with our closest relatives, and less with the ones further away, which supports the theory of breaking off, but having a common ancestor, which is also supported in the fossil record for a number of lines.

5. The theory of evolution does not cover biogenesis or the origin of life. You can still have a creator at the beginning if you want, you can have randomness, you can have aliens, at this point it is PURE conjecture and evolution doesn't cover it. There are no conclusive answers at the moment. You are correct. But this does not invalidate evolution.

So, the theory:
Some traits/random mutations perhaps provide an advantage for reproduction, resulting in environmental/natural/sexual selection.
These progressively stack over time. First leading to a population of sub species, then a different species, each successive generation in marginally different from the one before it.
It reaches the point where they are a new species and can no longer breed with the old one (if there are still any around).

Aspects like organ development are more complex, but follow the same fundamental concept. But these happen at FAR earlier ancestral stages.

That's the start of it.

By the way, scientifically a Law is something that can be be demonstrated through equations, and even then it can be still referred to as a theory, relativity for example.

Multiple layers of evidence from different fields all point to evolution, and evolution explains many of the aspects we're uncovering in biology. Unfortunately it cannot be "proven" using an equation, nor can we use it to predict future events. Much in the same way as we know about past civilizations and how we consider the big bang theory.

12-03-2012, 02:24 PM	#44 (permalink)
Face Music Addict Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: UK Posts: 306	Off the top of my head: Why evolution? 1. Populations have been shown to be able to diverge individual traits over time. This can be directly observed in real time through natural and artificial selection. 2. Isolated populations have genes which do not exist in other populations of the same species. Indicating that these genes were altered or created post seperation/isolation. ie blonde hair, lactose intolerance. 3. Ergo, isolated populations can demonstrably diverge from the original both physically and genetically over time. This is the starting point for the theory of evolution. 4. Fossil records show incremental development of skeletal structure, size etc over the ages. Most species/order have precursors in the fossil record, showing gradual change over time (such as horses). We share dna with our closest relatives, and less with the ones further away, which supports the theory of breaking off, but having a common ancestor, which is also supported in the fossil record for a number of lines. 5. The theory of evolution does not cover biogenesis or the origin of life. You can still have a creator at the beginning if you want, you can have randomness, you can have aliens, at this point it is PURE conjecture and evolution doesn't cover it. There are no conclusive answers at the moment. You are correct. But this does not invalidate evolution. So, the theory: Some traits/random mutations perhaps provide an advantage for reproduction, resulting in environmental/natural/sexual selection. These progressively stack over time. First leading to a population of sub species, then a different species, each successive generation in marginally different from the one before it. It reaches the point where they are a new species and can no longer breed with the old one (if there are still any around). Aspects like organ development are more complex, but follow the same fundamental concept. But these happen at FAR earlier ancestral stages. That's the start of it. By the way, scientifically a Law is something that can be be demonstrated through equations, and even then it can be still referred to as a theory, relativity for example. Multiple layers of evidence from different fields all point to evolution, and evolution explains many of the aspects we're uncovering in biology. Unfortunately it cannot be "proven" using an equation, nor can we use it to predict future events. Much in the same way as we know about past civilizations and how we consider the big bang theory.