Evolution is a Plausible Scientific Theory

IntroductionNature, and the pure variety of it, is exquisite. We have observed this for countless years. One would think that everyone would come to a consensus on an explanation behind this variety if it was supported by mountains of evidence, tested hypotheses and observations of the natural world, but somehow, the debate still goes on.I believe that debates like these are a small, yet necessary element of increasing awareness about the truth in evolution. By exposing the lack of evidence and astounding warped logic in denying evolution, and raising the level of recognition and attention paid to evolutionary theory, I think that we can make great strides to improve the use of rational, informed thinking in today's world.In this debate, I will put forth several widely accepted, factual arguments that support the theory of evolution by natural selection.ArgumentsI. The Fossil Record and Common AncestryA key part of evolutionary theory is the idea that we all descended from a common ancestor, therefore explaining both the similarities between species, and the vital differences that separate us. A crucial supporter of this element of evolutionary theory is the fossil record.Humans have dug up fossils for years, and we have gained much knowledge from the clues left for us within the record. A fantastic example of such a clue is the Archaeopteryx fossil.http://animalia-life.com...Scientists can identify links between birds and reptiles by analyzing this fossil. The Archaeopteryx was a winged bird about the size of a pigeon, with dinosaurian characteristics that proves its ancestry. Scientists know that this is the missing link between modern-day birds and reptiles; it is undisputed within the scientific community now that birds and reptiles are related.But the Archaeopteryx is not the only piece of evidence for common ancestry, there are countless other fossils sitting in museums and labs just waiting to be spliced into the great hierarchy of Earth's species of the past.The amazing thing about the fossil record and the geographic and sedimentary location of specific fossils is that we can track possible influences that caused natural selection to take effect. Geographic isolation that causes natural selection to occur in different ways to different sects of a species is considered. Another example is drastic climate change, which gives certain members of a species an natural advantage (furthered fitness), such as acquirement of food, which triggers natural selection.--------------------------II. The Genome and Common AncestryThe fossil record is a way that scientists can map our past, and prove the relationships different organisms have with one another. But there is, in fact, another way to do this: by analyzing the genetic material within organisms that is inherited from one's ancestor. By identifying the similarity of the gene pools of two different species, or the similarity of one organism versus another of a completely different species, scientists have drawn fantastic conclusions on how closely related species are to one another, even when they appear to be very different.Pioneering research conducted in labs around the world has mapped the genome of numerous different organisms, and the scientific community has discovered major relationships between species. For example, human and chimpanzee DNA is as much as 98% identical, and science has even progressed far enough so that we can easily point out the genetic differences and when they may have arisen.This is vital evidence for evolutionary theory, as once again, we can prove the relationships between species across the world. With analysis of both the fossil record and the genomic record, scientists can say with utmost confidence that all of the organisms living today share a common origin and common ancestry.--------------------------III. Observations of Evolution by Natural SelectionSince the formulation of the theory of natural selection (introduced most prominently by Charles Darwin in his work On the Origin of Species), natural selection has been observed numerous times by many scientists.A notable example is Darwin's own observation of the finches of the Galapagos Islands. Darwin observed key differences in the structure of the finches' beaks, and found that these differences were grouped in accordance with the diet of the finch. The finches that ate insects and lived in trees had beaks that were structured differently from the ground-dwelling, seed-eating finch.But how? How did the finches acquire these different shapes, seemingly ideal to their different diets? The answer is natural selection, and science has confirmed that through further experiments on the Galapagos. To put in simple terms: the finches best adapted to their diet were more successful in survival and reproduction, and therefore their genes became more prominent in the gene pool. The finches evolved to become more fit, more adapted to their environment. They evolved.--------------------------ConclusionWe can see that evolution is a plausible scientific theory if we examine the evidence. It is obvious that evolution by natural selection is the best way to explain developments, fluctuations and observations made in nature. Science is wonderful; scientists use evidence to build theories which explain the world around us rationally, logically and astoundingly accurately. As much as 98% of the scientific community believes with the theory of evolution. I side with the scientific community, evidence and rationality, and I believe that evolution is a plausible scientific theory.--------------------------Sources(1) http://animalia-life.com...(2) http://evolution.berkeley.edu...(3) http://www.pbs.org...(4) http://www.theatlantic.com...