Hi guys, today I have decided to write this topic that I hope will be useful both for the student of the life sciences, and for the reader who likes educational content. One of the most controversial scientific ideas is, without a doubt, the theory of evolution. Despite being based on solid evidence, after more than 150 years of being proposed by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russell Wallace, it remains the target of objections from those who understand it little or misinterpret it. Accompany me to answer some frequently asked questions that come from "Misconceptions" of the theory of evolution.
Source of Image Originally published in The Hornet magazine (22 March 1871)
1. Is it simply a theory or is it really true?
In our everyday language we use the word "theory" as synonymous with "hypothesis", a proposition that has not been proven. For example: "in theory the bus passes at 4:00 o'clock, now we will have to check if it is true". But in scientific language "theory" is something else, it is a logically coherent explanation in which each of its elements is based on measurable and verifiable evidence.
Some examples that can be mentioned of scientific theories are: the microbial theory of diseases, which postulates that many health problems are due to microorganisms; the atomic theory that states that all matter is made up of atoms; the theory of continental drift, which has shown that continents move and change shape slowly. All based on evidence and widely accepted as true.
The theory of evolution has been confirmed and enriched with the discoveries of science such as genetics, geology, paleontology, anatomy, embryology and more.
2. If we are descendants of the monkey. Why are there still monkeys?
First of all, we do not descend from any species of monkey or ape. Humans, chimpanzees and bonobos, our closest relatives, descend from a common ancestor perhaps similar to the Sahelanthropus, who in turn descends from the Plesiadapiformes, who are also grandparents of the monkeys (those with tails).
Secondly, we have a linear idea of evolution as if living beings were some kind of pokemon and one organism transformed into another, but it is not so. Evolution looks more like a tree. Over millions of years, because children are never exactly like their parents, new species are emerging. Some become extinct and others continue to leave descendants. If a species adapts well nothing prevents it from continuing to exist to this day.
A good example for this question is the lungfish (Dipnoi), possible ancestor of amphibians (and ours) 350 million years ago, still living today.
3. Why has not the "missing link" been found?
The popular idea that there is only one species between apes and humans is not a scientific concept. Evolution is a gradual process and there were many intermediate forms between the first primates and humans today.
Discoveries of these transitional fossils are constantly being made, helping to complete the panorama of our lineage. So there are many links and no, they are not lost.
4. If the evolution is real. Why do not we continue to evolve?
At first glance it gives the impression that living beings have not changed in a long time, and that's why it seems that they have always been the same, that they were created that way, the truth is that organisms on earth continue to evolve. A few examples of species that we are seeing evolve in front of us:
Because of the intense war against them, bedbugs in New York are now 250 times more resistant to pesticides than other bed bugs. Very similar to what happens with bacteria that become more resistant to antibiotics.
A group of Italian lizards settled in island of Pod Kopiste, in the South Adriatic Sea, in 1971. In less than 40 years and several generations later, the structure and strength of its jaw changed and it also shows adaptations in its digestive system.
The elephants of Zambia because of the hunt for ivory traffic, are evolving and now exceed 30% those who by a genetic mutation do not develop fangs.
For similar reasons Polar Bears are beginning to mix with the Grizzly. Result, a new species: Grolar Bear.
Humans have also changed. For example, adults originally could not digest milk, due to a mutation that occurred 3000 years ago, now many human adults are tolerant to lactose, which gives them an advantage. They have also discovered 1800 genes of recent appearance that promote resistance to infectious diseases such as leprosy or tuberculosis.
5. Does accepting the theory of evolution imply being an Atheist?
Although the theory of evolution does not require any kind of divine intervention, understanding it and accepting it as true does not automatically convert you into an atheist.
Think of other scientific explanations. For example: if you are religious and they tell you that the rain comes from the precipitation of the water from the clouds that form condensed vapor, does it conflict with your beliefs because it does not include any divinity?
The evolution of the species is a natural mechanism of coherent and well studied, is accepted by a variety of religions, arguing that religious scriptures are allegorical and should not be taken as scientific textbooks.
"The evolution of nature does not contrast with the notion of creation." Pope Francisco, 2014.
"I consider myself a Darwinian", Dalai Lama, 2008.
The most important thing is that the theory of evolution helps us to understand our origin and how life is transformed from a scientific perspective, unlike mythological stories that do have value from an ethical and poetic perspective.
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