The Theory of Evolution
Table of Contents
Evolution is a theory and a relative word that generally means different things to different groups of people. This is why it is important to understand the classic definition of Evolution and how it has been applied to each branch of science in order to properly understand all its implications.
Evolution is defined as the process of change; and in the field of biology, it is the process of change in all forms of life over generations.
History of Evolution
Charles Darwin (1809-1882), known as the father of modern Evolution, was one of the primary advocates for the Theory of Evolution, and was well known for his book ‘Origin of Species (1859).’
After years of study Darwin shared his belief that all biological life came about, and was the result of purely naturalistic processes, evolving in progression from one life form to another.
As time has moved forward scientists dedicated to the theory have also applied this belief, of gradual progression, to all fields of study; from cosmology to physics, biology, etc., claiming that everything we observe is purely materialistic in nature and there is nothing outside of the natural realm that cannot account for itself.
The theories or beliefs based off these statements have lead to additional theories of origin for each branch of science, in order to determine a purely naturalist cause for everything we observe. Over the past century we can clearly see a breakdown of 6 primary different types of evolution for each field of science:
- 1.) Cosmic Evolution – The origin of space, matter and time
- 2.) Chemical Evolution – The origin of higher elements from hydrogen
- 3.) Stellar & Planetary Evolution – Origin of stars and planets
- 4.) Organic Evolution – The origin of Life from inorganic material
- 5.) Macro Evolution – The changing of one kind of animal to another
- 6.) Micro Evolution – Variations within one kind of animal.
Explanation of Micro vs. Macro Evolution
There is a extreme difference between micro and macro evolution that needs to be understood by everyone that studies biology from either a creationist or evolutionist point of view.
Even though this definition is not taught in the classic understanding of evolution, it doesn’t mean the application of their differences are not clearly understood or observed in each branch of science today.
It is clearly observed that micro changes are continually being made in the genetic code of every living creature, from generation to generation. This is why we observe dominant and recessive hereditary attributes between each generation of an organism, or variation in the code that already exists in an organisms genetics. This is undeniable proof that genetic information is constantly rearranging in new ways with slightly different results.
However, the problems we encounter with a purely naturalistic, evolutionary theory is the observable boundaries to these changing biological functions. Along with the assumptions that have to be introduced to allow for a completely random, natural acquisition necessary to account for everything we observe in each branch of science.
Once we understand all the information, it become more obvious that genetics are the engineered results of intelligent design, and the small allowable variation in a genetic code where previously designed, or already available in the existing genetic code, to allow a creature to adapt to its environment. Biology also reveals evidence that creatures could never produce a ‘new’ kind of creature, but only variations of what already exists in the own genetic code, just as it was designed to do so when it was created.
Micro-Evolution
Micro evolution, which is also simply known as small micro-changes, allows a species to adapt back and fourth in various small ways to their environment. We see these small genetic changes allowing and organism to differ in:
- Size
- Color
- Thickness or thinning of hair
- Eye color, etc.
Each are caused by various conditions that trigger already existing genes. The ability to make these adaptations, or changes, already exists, and where pre-programmed in the organisms DNA code, simply being turning on or off particular hereditary traits. There is no ‘new’ information that is being added to the genetic code.
For example, there are many species of dogs, but they are all dogs. Each dog is the same ‘kind’ of animal as God declared in Genesis 1.
Even though different kinds of dogs are often classified as different species, all dogs are still the same “kind” of animals. Some dogs over time cannot revert to their original biological conditions because their descendants lost a certain amount of genetic information.
i.e. certain types of Chihuahuas will never get much bigger because the genetic code that allows a certain size no longer remains in their descendants.
As explained in genetics, a ‘loss’ of information causes a genetic variation within a species (such as making a dog smaller), there is NO new information being added.
Genetic variation are the reasons siblings have different appearances. One brother might be a little bigger or have a fatter nose. This is due to a slight variation in the programming of their genetic sequences.
Macro- Evolution
Macro Evolution is the belief that one ‘kind’ of animal through random changes in its DNA structure or through genetic mutations, will eventually become another ‘kind’ of animal.
For example, this belief conveys the possibility that a fish will eventually turn into a dog. Specifically, that the DNA of a fish from descendant to descendant, will through random gradual changes, convert from one ‘kind’ of creature into another, for example, a fish’s descendants will eventually result in a canine offspring.
This belief require new information to be consistently introduced into the genetic code to make changes in a creature that where not present in previous generation.
Consider the Evidence
Micro Bacterial have long been examples of evolution by biologists, but do they really fit the description of macro-evolution?
If microbes are the beginning stage of evolution after a random formation of common elements colliding together, then why don’t we see any stages today that are intermediate between multi-cellular microbes and animals?
Bacterium only reveal changes according to the genetics that where already present in their predecessors. They too are example only of micro-evolution.
References
Answers in Genesis – Right or Wrong in the Creation Evolution Debate