Friday, May 12, 2006

Evolution - Because It Works

I've been busy with a lot of things and I have a backlog of "space stuff" to blog about but just haven't had time. Perhaps this weekend, but in the meantime, I really like this essay on evolution. It's interesting that few seem to object to the theories of gravitation or relativity (or at least their applications) that allow such marvels as GPS to work (though I'm sure there is an alternate theory somewhere, perhaps navigation angels to keep the GPS satellites in orbit?). Proponents of so-called intelligent design even accept (or will at least take if they are sick) antibiotics and other drugs which are designed based on detailed understanding of bacterial genetics and practical application of the theory evolution (evolution is how bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics among other things). But they reject the idea that evolution also applies to humans, even though we share our genetic code with all the other living things on this planet.

I really don't get this selective approach to scientific theories. Scientific theories are judged on their predictive, practical value, and evolution is applied practically in drug development and many other areas of medicine, biology, animal and plant breeding, etc. every day. But supposedly humans are exempt. At least in Kansas.

No comments: