The E Word

Warning: Controversial language ahead! How could I make a blog dedicated to science without discussing the e-word? Yes, I am talking about evolution! For those of you who may not be clear on this, the Theory of Evolution proposes that all life on Earth shares a common ancestor. New species are created over time, branching off from an earlier race. Evolution could be compared to a tree, where thicker (older) branches will split off at the ends. Of course, no one is saying that humans evolved from chimps. However, humans, chimps, and orangutans did evolve from one common ancestor. This occurs when one creature has a genetic mutation that causes it to be a more productive member of the species. The mutation will then be passed on to its children, and so on and so forth. Eventually, the mutation will become more and more pronounced, until it has formed its own species. For example, the giraffe and the tapir had a common ancestor. This ancestor had mutations which caused some of the creatures to have long necks, some to have short necks, and some to have midsized necks. The ones with long necks succeeded because they could reach the foliage on the tops of the trees. The ones with short necks succeeded because they fed on ground plants. The ones with medium sized necks, however, died out. Eventually, mutations caused the long-necked creatures to develop into the giraffe of today, and the short-necked ones to become tapirs.
Of course, the quintessential example of evolution is the Galapagos Islands. On these secluded islands, there is an abundance of flora and fauna found no where else in the world. Even on the individual islands in the chain, there are different species. There are at least fifteen distinct species of finches, each with a beak suited to its own environment and food source. There are also many different species of tortoise, each adapted to its environment. For example, some of the tortoises have shells with an upward curve at the front to allow them to reach their necks up towards higher foliage, while others don't. None of these species are found anywhere else in the world.
Here's some more information about the Galapagos.
Now, scientists world-wide are being threatened with a new form of an old monster. Creationism has now been reincarnated as intelligent design. This idea states that animals may have evolved slightly, but that there was a guiding force that made them as they are. Now, supporters of intelligent design and supporters of pure evolution are locked in battle over which is right and if both must be given equal footing until a conclusion has formed.