The argument in favor of the view that mankind continues to evolve biologically is deductive and inferential, but it seems strong enough nevertheless. The control by man of organic evolution is now an attainable goal. Richard B. Goldschmidt, American Scientist , vol. Evolution of the animal and plant world is considered by all those entitled to judgment to be a fact for which no further proof is needed. There are no rival hypotheses except the outworn and completely refuted idea of special creation, now retained only by the ignorant, the dogmatic, and the prejudiced.
Evolution is a fact, like digestion.
George Wald, Annals of the New York Academy of Science , vol. Evolution advances, not by a priori design, but by the selection of what works best out of whatever choices offer. We are the products of editing, rather than of authorship. Evolution as a historical fact was proved beyond reasonable doubt not later than in the closing decades of the 19th century. No one who takes the trouble to become familiar with the pertinent evidence has at present a valid reason to disbelieve that the living world, including man, is a product of evolutionary development.