Topic: Evidence for and against the Evolution theory
By Charles Darwin.
Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution states that more organisms are born in each generation than can survive and reproduce. For survival, all species of organisms develop heritable variations that make them suitable to survive and that these organisms produce offspring and pass on the favorable success genes to succeed in generations to come (Greenberger,2005). When the environment of an organism changes, the organism evolves or develops different variants that will be favored by the changes. The theory proposes that the offspring of an organism differ from one another and from the parent in ways that are heritable; in other words, they can pass the differences to their offspring genetically. This paper seeks to put across proposing and opposing views to this view.
One of the evidence in favor of natural selection is genetic mutations. Studies in genetics and molecular biology explain genetic variations in the nucleotide sequence of DNA, the molecule from which genes are made. They further explain that if gene mutation improves adaptation to the environment (for example a plant being more drought-tolerant, or an animal being a better hunter because of its strong legs), the organism carrying that gene is more likely to survive and reproduce than those without (Sproule,2002). Although genetic mutation is a random phenomenon, it produces adaptive organisms.
The theory also gives an understanding of how new species originate. It is proceeded by a separation of pre-existing species geographically. Once separated, the species become genetically differentiated as a sequence of mutations and other processes.
Those scientists against this theory have put forward the neutral theory of molecular evolution, which states that genetic variation is a result of genetic drift. Rather than natural selection, a genetic mutation happens without functional consequences for survival and reproduction (Joshi, 2019). The neutralists believe that genetic drift accounts for most differences between populations and species and is not necessary for survival purposes.
References
Greenberger, R. (2005). Darwin and the theory of evolution. The Rosen Publishing Group.
Joshi, P. (2019). Challenging of Charles Darwin’s theory: Human evolution. PIYUSH JOSHI.
Sproule, A. (2002). Charles Darwin: Visionary behind the theory of evolution. Blackbirch Press.