Evolution That Anyone Can Understand (eBook)

The function of scientific research is promoting the understanding of the world around us. In theory, anyway, the more we learn, the more potential we have of making our lives better. Thus, we have seen research in electronics provide us with computers, research in chemistry provide us with all manner of synthetics, and research in agriculture provide us with more food. Periodically, scientific research uncovers something that makes some of us uncomfortable. The discovery of the link between smoking and lung cancer and heart disease was not received well by the tobacco industry, and the link between global climate change and fossil fuel use has not been well received by the petroleum industry, to cite just two examples. Usually the response of those whose world has been disrupted by science is denial, often followed by attack on or ridicule of the science that has challenged them. In the long term, however, science usually turns out to be correct.

Bernard Marcus is the author of other books, including: Tropical Forests, Jones and Bartlett, 2008, 200 pp., SC $30.95 Human Nutrition (Cliffs Quick Review), Cliffs Notes, 1997, 192 pp., SC

---

Evolution that Anyone can Understand (working title)The topics I would like to cover include fossil genes, isolating mechanisms, genetic drift, and the like.  I would also like to tackle a couple of the myths that seem to persist about evolution: specifically that it is flawed because it is "e;only a theory,"e; and that it is somehow antithetical to religious belief.  Regarding the former, I would use the cell theory and atomic theory as comparisons to show that scientific theories are fact based, useful in making predictions, and flexible.  The latter is a bit more problematic, but I would try to show that science deals with the natural world and has no means of or interest in dealing with the supernatural.  I would do my best to not attack anyone's belief's, but I would show by chapter and verse that the Bible contains conflicting information and cannot be used as a scientific document.  In addition, I would point out that the discoveries of Galileo and Copernicus did not destroy religion, though there was fear they would at the time.  I would also avoid to the best of my abilities a dogmatic march through geologic history, using dinosaurs and the like only as illustrations.  From what I saw and from what I've seen in the past, my approach would be less "e;clinical."e; My intention is to go into more detail on evolution around us, including bacterial drug resistance and insect pesticide resistance, as well as recent extinctions, and I believe that I'll be handling the religious argument differently, hopefully to show that both "e;sides"e; do not disprove the other by proving their own.   Tentative Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction: Exactly What is Evolution?The nature of change in biological historyChapter 2: What's God Got to do with It?Biblical contradictions and the growth of human understanding of natural phenomena.Chapter 3: But It's Only a TheoryThe nature of scientific theory, exemplified by Germ, Cell, and Atomic TheoriesChapter 4: Ice Fish and Other Genetic AnomaliesFossil genes, vestigial organs, and relict behaviorChapter 5: Islands in the Sky and ElsewhereGenetic isolation and speciationChapter 6: SuperbugsAntibiotic-resistant bacteria and pesticide resistant-insectsChapter 7: How Does It Work?Gene mutation and natural selectionChapter 8: What's the Evidence?The fossil record and embryologic similarityChapter 9: Is It Happening Now?Selective breeding and habitat fragmentationChapter 10: What About Us?A brief look at human evolution