Why do so many people believe in evolution when there is no evidence of it occurring today?

Question

Mutations and natural selection produce CHANGES, but not evolutionary changes. No new genetic information is added, only a re-shuffling of the existing information. No change in form or function has ever been shown to have occurred.

Answer 1

evolution is a buncha horseshit in my opinion. =)

Answer 2

That's like saying "Why do so many people believe that a 3,000-year-old redwood tree is growing when there is no evidence of it occurring today." It is silly to say that some process that takes time-scales far beyond human lifetimes, much less perception, would have evidence that it is occuring "today." Just as the evidence of the growth of redwoods can be found by comparing snapshots taken over very large time intervals, the evidence that evolution can produce changes in form and function over huge timescales can be found by looking at snapshots (fossils) taken over large time intervals and *see* the slow evolution of form and function.

But more importantly, there is no better explanation for the existence of a redwood tree than the concept that it *grew* from a sapling ... you don't just assume that the tree was created or appeared suddently in its present form as a fully grown redwood tree just because you can't see it growing "today." That's not an explanation at all.

Similarly, there is no better explanation for the existence of a modern organism, and all the related organisms, and the intermediate forms we find in the fossil record, and their genetic and molecular and morphological similarities, and vestigial or homologous organs, and the distributions of species on the planet, etc. etc. than the idea that they descended from common ancestors. Common descent offers an *explanation* of these facts, this evidence. There is no better *scientific* theory ... one that explains all these facts better. You don't just assume that every species alive or fossilized appeared or was created in its current form just because you can't see that form changing within your lifetime. And postulating an "intelligent designer" has no *explanatory* power, or *scientific* testability, and makes no predictions, whatsoever. It *explains* nothing.

> Mutations and natural selection produce CHANGES, but not evolutionary changes. <

What else do you think is meant by "evolutionary changes"?? They are changes to an organism due to environmental pressures. That's it. You creationists call them "micro-evolutionary changes" but you still admit that they are "evolutionary changes."

But thanks at least for admitting *natural selection* as an agent of biological change ... that is the crux of Darwin's insight.

Answer 3

1. Evolution happens over a long period -- like hundreds and thousands of generations. Not easily detected.

2. It may be triggered by environmental conditions as not all genes in the DNA are turned on.

Examples.

The flu virus mutates every year to a point where new vaccines are made to accommodate the changes.

At this moment the H5N1 bird flu virus is under heavy investigation. It is only time when it will acquire the ability to be transmitted between mammals. I believe that would be considered as new functions added.

Answer 4

Evolution is taking place right here right now in front of your eyes
and the evidence is you me and all living things..
Mutation is not evolving ..but natural selection is part and parcel
of evolving..if natural selection doesn't take place ..how are we going to adapt to the changes in our environment to survive and exist ..we have to evolve ..change.. to exist
our D N A carries so much genetic information ..i wouldn't call it re-shuffling i call it existing genetics variation of inherited.characteristics .now where from or by whom have we inherited..this D N A signature..where did we come from ???
changes must have occurred..I don't think humans was as we are
some million years a go.

Answer 5

So many people ACKNOWLEDGE evolution (one does not believe in evolution one believes in god and angels...), because there is evidence that proves it.
Some changes have no effect on genetic information but some do. Certain chemical environments, radioactive radiation do affect genetics and this in turn changes the functionality. In fact it does not have to be chemical environment, It can be purely physical.

Answer 6

You are mistaken. We have seen evidence of evolution and selection within insect and even human populations. I don't suppose you'll give me the ten points for pointing this out to you though.

One note: Evolution is not a "belief." It is a theory that fits the evidence, and subject to change when new evidence or a better theory comes along. Only religions notions are "beliefs" and immune to evidence or investigation.

Answer 7

Absolutely and totally wrong. Evolutionary change is all around you. Random fluctuations are selected for advantage all the time. Indeed they HAVE TO BE. There is no belief involved.

Form and function change MOST RAPIDLY in the simple organisms. Why on earth do you think we have antibiotic resistant bacteria?

Answer 8

Well its all about monkeys. The persons responsible for this whole theory, really like monkeys, and feel that monkeys are not being given the proper respect, dignity and credit due to their advancements thus far. Which explains why if monkeys advanced to humans, then why do we still have monkeys? Darwins law of evolution states that the strong will survive, that evolution will create adaptive responses making species more suitable to their enviroment. That being the case...its the monkey's fault.

Answer 9

Aren't you a little different from your father and more from your grandfather? Your children even more. Well this change is very subtle but such changes add up to form a totally new species. Sufficient Changes don't occur in one generation itself and take a lot of time. So keep patience.

Answer 10

there is evidence look at bacteria.....they discovered penicillin back in the day, whenever that was, now today there are bacteria that are resistant to it...that is evidence
also it takes tons and tons of generations for evolution to occur
that is why you \can see it in bacteria....they reproduce very quickly, like every 20 minutes or so

and yes mutations do play a role in evolution

Answer 11

umm...unless your expecting some X-men crap to just start showing up, evolution will not come for a while. This is because he human race has survived to the point that it has no fatal flaw to it. It has no weakness point to where another race might surpass, that we know of. And as always, evolution is a gradual process. It took millions of years for humans to evolve to this point. But evolution has been all around us