Is our teaching of evolution failing?

Question

Just looking at some of the questions and answers on this site brings this question to mind; people do not understand the theory of evolution. Just look at this;
1) If an organism evolves into another organism, what does it breed with? Good question since there is such a variety in the number of chromosomes within different species.
[Species evolve, not organisms.]

2) If an organism evolves into another organism, why do the old organisms still exist? (why didn't all monkeys evolve into men?)
[Monkeys did not evolve into men]

3) Scientists have been breeding fruit flies, lab rats, bacteria, etc. for many years -- subjecting them to all sorts of situations to try to force evolutionary changes. They can change some minor traits (coloration, etc.) -- but they still get fruit flies from fruit flies every few days. If evolution was actually happening, there should be some more direct evidence that it is occurring.
[Evolution takes centuries. Evidence is the fossil record and genetics.]

And people think we need to teach creationism? We aren't even teaching the theory of evolution properly! Absolutely unnacceptable.

And "Charles W"s answer down there just adds to my case.

Panacea is ignoring natural selection, nor does he seem to understand what "eugenics" is nor that application of morphology. As for his statement that there he evolution obviously doesn't happen if the scientific method is applied to it; I seriously, scientifically doubt your claim, muchacho, both as a scientist and as a reasoning human being. I won't even get into the dog thing, that was as childishly reasoned as point 3.
As for my earlier comment about "centuries"; technically evolution happens every second; I was trying to point out that noticible changes may take longer (in most cases, much longer), although they don't have to.

Answer 1

In working toward the eradication of science, the creationists try to corrupt the public's understanding of what science is, how science works, and what science has learned. Their most conspicuous efforts are aimed at eroding the teaching of science in public schools. They promote curricula that misrepresent science, they demand that teachers present scientific constructs and biblical tales as equivalent alternatives, they try to prevent the teaching of any science that contravenes biblical lore, and they try to force the schools to disseminate Bible stories that have been cloaked in "scientific" disguises. They are especially vigorous in their attempts to undermine or stifle the teaching of scientific information about organic evolution and the history of life on Earth. (See, for example: "Alabama Will Use Schoolbooks to Spread Lies and Foster Creationism" in The Textbook Letter for November-December 1995; and "Combating Creationism in a Louisiana School System" in The Textbook Letter for July-August 1997.)

In response to the creationists' continuing attacks on science education, the National Academy of Sciences has issued a 140-page booklet that seeks to provide "information and resources that teachers and administrators can use to inform themselves, their students, parents, and others about evolution and the role of science in human affairs." Titled Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science, the booklet was released on 9 April.

Answer 2

Chica, you are the one that is showing prime ignorance of the science of evolution. In particular, your comment about the fossil record and genetics and the centuries comment.

Bluntly put, there is not a single scientific observation that supports evolution. Not a single intermediate form. Not even in millions of generations of microbes. Not even in a single gene. We have put this theory under intense scientific scrutiny and guess what. No evidence. That is the bottom line.

Further, if you bothered to research the matter, you would find that point mutation does not get passed down to descendents in the long term. In the short term yes. But the line always returns to baseline afterward. The exception to this is eugenics. But eugenics has two interesting characteristics. The first and most important is that no matter how much the morphology of an organsim changes, it NEVER changes in such a way as to become something else. For example, we breed dogs. There are many types of dogs. However, NEVER does this ever create anything that is not 100% a dog. Further, the moment you stop the eugenics, the line drifts back to baseline. You get mutts.

Evolution does not happen, chica. It's obvious for anyone who actually applies the scientific method to the issue. Since this is an objective process, the results are definitive. Those who disagree, do so based on dogma, not science. They do this because they CAN'T disagree with the science. It's not possible. The scientific method was created for exactly this purpose. To base conclusions on reality instead of dogma. Reality is observed, measured and proven. With the case of evolution, it shows it to be false.

Answer 3

Evolution exists. I evolve bacteria every day, so that the common American can get cheaper drugs, beat cancer, and not have to worry about infection by Anthrax. Put an organism into a cave without any light for about a century, and you'll find a new species without eyes or any form of visual sensory systems. The school system sucks at teaching evolultion.

Answer 4

1269: You must be shaking your head in amazement at some of the comments that have been posted on this topic. Contrary to what seems to be popular opinion, evolution is extremely well supported by the evidence. A species of moth that changed colour in response to the darkening of its natural environment during the industrial revolution in northern England is but one example from thousands. Good luck with the flat earthers. B

Answer 5

The teaching of evolution is failing, because the world works on a specific design that could only come from a higher intelligence...God, himself. Look deeper and you will find that Darwin, himself, said that his own theory could not be so, that it was seriously flawed, and he died a Christian. Fossil records show that some species evolved, but that is because of cross-pollination of the species and survival of the fittest (which is one theory that holds true today}.

Answer 6

No such thing as Evolution......So any teaching done about Evolution would be wrong.........God made things the way they were and have not change at all........but MAN may add this DNA to this or that but that is MAN made not God so changes are done By Man not Evolved into anything

Oh and hey look I still have my Little Toe........has not Evolved into anything yet..........
Happy Day

Answer 7

Evolution failing? I think not. In fact, your last word of your last sentence in your question very may well be the correct answer.

Genetics: something whiz-bang new we're discovering new things each day at a dizzying wonderful geometric rate.

But ah: genetic alteration, albeit a key to evolution, was done in a natural, muti-billions of year process. The scientific community would be wise to respect it's efforts in genetic alteration of living organisms......and beings (ah-hemmm). Sure, a fast "add water and stir" approach to genetic alteration may yield interesting findings....but are we fully ready to accept it's responsibilities?

I'd like to think so and be open to it's more positive acheivements.

Answer 8

I suspect that it is both a failure to teach and a failure to learn. Teachers not teaching it well, and students not caring.

It's important to remember, however, that you cannot make blanket statements like that. In the united states, the education a person recieves is entirely dependent upon where he or she lives. Every town and county has its own way of doing things.

I, for one, got a fantastic education in evolutionary biology.

Answer 9

We aren't teaching evolution properly because the religious fanatics would rally against the schools.

Answer 10

just regarding the 3rd point u made evoloution takes millions of years not cenuries.so before u get up here get facts straight beotch