Comment Re:Scientific Theory (Score 2, Interesting) 2242
The theory of evolution can be deduced from falsifiable statements in the spirit of Popper. For this we can completely ignore the fossil record and much macroscopic biology. Observations from this realm are consistent with the theory, but can never prove it. It was Darwin's great insight that he could come up with the theory anyway. To prove evolution we need turn only to modern molecular biology. Consider the following statements:
1) DNA sequence (genotype) has no role in determining phenotype.
2) DNA is not replicated during reproduction of organisms.
3) When DNA is replicated, it is with perfect fidelity.
4) All phenotypes are equally likely to survive.
5) All genotypes (DNA strings) are possible.
All of these are falsifiable by experiment. Some of these experiments are routine operations, happening thousands, maybe millions of times a day.
1) Simple counter example, sickle cell anemia is caused a singel letter ("base") change in DNA.
2) See the first experiments regarding semi-conservative replication. Watch mitosis under a microscope.
3) Can be detected a number of ways: sequencinq, probes, restriction enzyme digestion etc.
4) Consider drug resistent pathogens, differential survival can be traced back to different phenotypes.
5) Number of possibilites grows exponentially, "more than the number of atoms in the universe" kind of problem.
If you consider all these together it should be possible to see why life evolves.
I suggest some experiments that could go towards falsifying evolution:
Demonstrate a living organism that completely lacks DNA/RNA or any information bearing structure that could fit into 1-5 above. eg, an elephant with no nucleus (still would have mitochondrial DNA, but would raise serious questions nonetheless).
Capture the spontaneous incarnation of a fully grown elephant on film, under sufficiently rigorous conditions (A big glass cage, in public view, James Randi watching out for flummery etc).
It is no longer necessary to prove evolution. Given all of the above it is the task of creationists to prove how there cannot be evolution.
1) DNA sequence (genotype) has no role in determining phenotype.
2) DNA is not replicated during reproduction of organisms.
3) When DNA is replicated, it is with perfect fidelity.
4) All phenotypes are equally likely to survive.
5) All genotypes (DNA strings) are possible.
All of these are falsifiable by experiment. Some of these experiments are routine operations, happening thousands, maybe millions of times a day.
1) Simple counter example, sickle cell anemia is caused a singel letter ("base") change in DNA.
2) See the first experiments regarding semi-conservative replication. Watch mitosis under a microscope.
3) Can be detected a number of ways: sequencinq, probes, restriction enzyme digestion etc.
4) Consider drug resistent pathogens, differential survival can be traced back to different phenotypes.
5) Number of possibilites grows exponentially, "more than the number of atoms in the universe" kind of problem.
If you consider all these together it should be possible to see why life evolves.
I suggest some experiments that could go towards falsifying evolution:
Demonstrate a living organism that completely lacks DNA/RNA or any information bearing structure that could fit into 1-5 above. eg, an elephant with no nucleus (still would have mitochondrial DNA, but would raise serious questions nonetheless).
Capture the spontaneous incarnation of a fully grown elephant on film, under sufficiently rigorous conditions (A big glass cage, in public view, James Randi watching out for flummery etc).
It is no longer necessary to prove evolution. Given all of the above it is the task of creationists to prove how there cannot be evolution.
