• Question: how far do you believe in evolution ?

    Asked by kyz123 to Anna, Craig, Richard, Shane, Sue on 21 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Shane Pennington-Cooper

      Shane Pennington-Cooper answered on 20 Jun 2011:

      Hi kyz123,

      There is a very similar question on http://ias.im/54.506

      However I will paste my answer here:

      I think the question of evolution and creationism is a frequently asked question however neither have 100% hard evidence. The proof of evolution obviously starts with the Darwin Finches, these birds had short beaks and found it very difficult to grab and eat the grubs hidden in small holes in the tree. As you know DNA mutations occur regularly and a few of the finches had slightly longer beaks and could eat the grubs, through the theory of natural selection or ‘survial of the fittest’ the finches with shorter beaks died due to lack of food, leaving only the long beaked finches alive. These finches then bred to create baby finches with long beaks, generations of finches with long beaks were born, they adapted to the environment and now have the ability to eat the grubs. This theory is the same as in the peppered moths as Sue kindly explained, this can also be found in humans, why do we have an appendix? was it there because our ancestors ate more grass but as more and more humans ate meat the need for an appendix became less and less and therefore has no use, this could also be why we have a coccyx (tail bone), could this have been once a tail but due to our excellent balance the need for the tail lessened and future generations were born with shorter and shorter tails until it had no use.

      I think a scientist from the evolution zone may be able to help us more.

    • Photo: Sue Carney

      Sue Carney answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      Hi kyz123. this is a great question.

      I think the evidence for evolution is compelling and I certainly believe Darwin’s theory. I’m glad Shane’s already added a link to the similar question. There’s some information in there about the evidence supporting the theory of evolution, so you should definitely have a read of that.

      Since Darwin’s time, there have been some interesting developments of the theory of evolution, especially since we now know so much more about DNA. I believe that evolution is a very elegant explanation of how life has developed and changed. We now know that small changes in DNA are what make evolution happen. Those changes, called mutations, happen randomly inside cells. Sometimes the change is beneficial to the creature and so those creatures with that change are more likely to reproduce and pass that change on to their offspring in their genes. Those changes that are not so useful are ‘deselected’ because the creatures that have them have less of an advantage so less chance to pass on their genes.

      One interesting theory is proposed by a scientist called Richard Dawkins in his book, ‘The Selfish Gene.’ He says that genes behave in a way that is beneficial to themselves rather than the creature they’re in, almost as if the creature is merely a host to allow the genes to be passed on. He’s not suggesting that genes have free will and are consciously doing this, but that genes might affect people’s behaviour to benefit their own survival. It’s an interesting theory that some scientists agree with whilst others think it’s not that simple.

    • Photo: Anna Williams

      Anna Williams answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      Hi Kyz123,
      This is a great question. See the link in Shane’s answer to a similar question. Sue’s answer is spot on.
      I am a firm believer in evolution. As Sue said, our understanding of evolution has improved since Darwin’s time. There were some things that even Darwin didn’t get quite right – like he said that animals could pass on characteristics that they had acquired in their lifetimes to their offspring – and we now know that animals can only pass on genetic characteristics. So for example, if you lost a leg before you had children, when you had children, they wouldn’t be born without a leg, because your genetic code has the information for two legs. Darwin hadn’t quite grasped that, but now our understanding of evolution is much better.
      Sue has suggested you read The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins. I agree! He is a brilliant scientist, and, like me, is a very firm believer in evolution. You can see some interviews with him on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUFOlyt7ErE

      I believe that all natural phenomena we can see around us today are the result of evolution, and of course that evolution is still happening. It happens extremely slowly, over millions and millions of years, so it is very hard to see it happening with your own eyes, except by looking in the fossil record and reading about it. As Sue said, it is a very elegant explanation, which, for me, makes it even easier to believe.

      Also try the scientists in the Evolution zone for more detailed answers!

    • Photo: Richard Case

      Richard Case answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      Quite far 🙂

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