Life is the rarest thing in the universe. When inorganic molecules come together in the right proportions and circumstances, they result in the self propelling system of replication. In simple terms, organisms with traits that help them survive and reproduce are more likely to pass those traits to their offspring. Over many generations, this leads to the diversity of life we see today. This is the theory of evolution proposed by Charles Darwin in 1859. Then and even today, conflicts arise, mostly due to its rebuttal of Intelligent Design (or creator). Claims made against Darwinism are not only shallow, but do not stand ground in the face of scientific scrutiny. Theory of evolution is not a recipe for the beginning of life. In one of my classes in college, a student ascribed our ancestry to Adam & Eve. Hence the reason to broach this topic.
It cannot be dismissed as “just a theory & not a fact”. In scientific terms, a theory is a well-
substantiated explanation based on a body of evidence. Darwin’s theory is supported by extensive empirical data, including fossil records, comparative anatomy, and molecular biology.
Fossils are the preserved remains, traces, or imprints of once-living organisms from the past. Fossilization in rocks is very rare, as specific geologic circumstances are a must at the time of death of animals or plants. Finding them in rocks is yet another task. Therefore, all animals/plants that ever lived are not found as fossils. Critics often point to perceived gaps in the fossil record (like the fossil of half-human half-ape or the fossil of an animal with one wing) as evidence against evolution. Fossil of Tiktaalik roseae is the missing-link between fish and amphibians whose limb bone structure is intermediate between fish’s fins and walking limbs of tetrapods. Darwinism does not propose that an animal intermediate between birds and reptiles would have one wing but instead small protrusions on the body of a reptile to start with, giving it more advantage over other reptiles having no protrusions. It’s the ever-small increments of ever increasing protrusions that combine to give the full-fledged wings to fly. Fossils of Archaeopteryx is one such intermediary example. On a parallel note, some argue that the complexity of biological systems, such as the human eye, is too intricate to have evolved gradually. However, evolutionary processes, driven by natural selection, can account for the gradual development of complex structures over time, with each step conferring selective advantages. The problem here is that the common man cannot fathom millions of years’ time required for this process to complete.
DNA is the building block of life that carries information on the working of the organism from one generation to the other. Studies of ancient DNA have revealed ancestry of the diverse organisms leading backwards toward the point where they shared a common ancestor. Homo sapiens (us) share 98.8% DNA with the chimpanzees, a fact that stands the test of challenge.
People tend to cling to arguments that align with their beliefs and are often resistant to changing their perspectives. Scientists face challenges in dispelling misconceptions among such individuals. Nevertheless, the strength of science lies in its adaptability and its ability to adjust based on new evidence. Science is inherently open to improvement, maintaining a dynamic nature. Let’s advocate for and support the progress of science!
