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Explanation of Darwin's
Theory
Darwin's theory is fairly simple. Darwin understood that
the globe underwent change, forcing species to adapt in order to survive. Darwin then stated that nature
provides an unlimited supply of hereditary novelties, or random variation. As
the name suggests, much of the variation is heritable. Over time, favorable variations
are preserved and unfavorable variations are weeded out. From Malthus’
essay, Darwin suggested that the struggle for existence between organisms directs
evolution and leads to the survival of the fittest. Long periods of the process
of natural selection would eventually lead to the creation of a new species. Thus, natural selection is the mechanism
that drives evolution.
Darwin's Theory Today
Darwin's theory is still a controversial topic in modern
society. According to a Gallop Pole from February 2001, nearly half of the American population remains reluctant to
embrace the idea of evolution. However, scientists generally agree that evolution
is a real process that is constantly occurring.
In the world of science, the “theory” of evolution is treated like the “theory” of electricity. Electricity is an unproven phenomenon due to the fact that no one has ever been able
to see electrons. Yet, each of these
theories is an explanation that has been confirmed to such a degree that knowledgeable experts count them as facts. Much of the scientific research conducted in the modern world is based upon the existence
of evolution. One of the most important aspects of biomedical research is the
study of microbial diseases. The dynamics of those microbes within humans
can only be understood in terms of evolution. The concept of evolution explains
why new antibiotics are needed. Bacteria adapt and change. As antibiotics wipe
out old populations of bacteria, the few antibiotic-resistant survivors procreate until the antibiotic is useless. Evolution
can also explain how deadly diseases such as the HIV, SARS, and West Nile viruses are able to affect
humans. All of these viruses had hosts that were non human - chimps in the case of HIV, civet cats for SARS, and birds in
the case of West Nile. Mutation in these viruses enables them to move to a new species
so that they can live in a new host, thus infecting humans. Therefore, the theory of evolution plays an important role in modern science and medicine.
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