Natural Selection
Natural Selection = Evolution?
Most of the time when the word evolution is used, it is taken to mean macroevolution. Much of the confusion about macroevolution and microevolution occur when terms such as natural selection are used interchangeably with the word evolution (i.e. macroevolution). The difference between microevolution and macroevolution can be found on this page from gotquestions.com. Natural selection is an observable microevolutionary process. In this process, certain orgnanisms within species, such as birds with longer beaks, will naturally survive better than the organisms that aren't equipped as well to survive in their environment. This causes slight changes within species over time. But can macroevolution be assumed from this evidence of natural selection? This page from Answers in Genesis addresses this issue.
Evolutionary Scientists and Natural Selection
Evolutionary scientists claim that large-scale changes can come about through the process of natural selection. Meaning that organisms can actually change from one species to another. Here is a link to a video by Carl Sagan which gives an explanation natural selection from the evolutionist perspective. This video has been seen by 500 million to 1 billion viewers worldwide and has won an Emmy award. Notice the huge leap that is made from observed artificial and natural selection to the use of natural selection as a proof for macroevolution.
Built upon the foundation stones of Evolutioniary theory propogated by Charles Darwin, Carl Sagan, and others; new multitudes of evolutionary scientists are now perpetuating this theory through myriads of websites built specifically to educate children, and teachers. One such site, named Becoming Human, even provides a documentary detailing human evolution specifically through the proces sof natural selection. Click here to visit this site and learn more about what evolutionary scientists are portraying as truth. Another example of evolutionary science that is aimed at children, and from a well-known source can be found at the PBS web-site dedicated to learning and teaching resources concerning evolution.
Natural Selection as Proof for Macroevolution
This article from the Discovery Institute explains many of the problems that exist in making this leap from observed microevolution through natural selection to using it as a proof for macroevolution. Because the issues of natural selection and mutations are closely connected, the link to the video under the bacteria subheading on the mutations page is a very good video that further explains the inconsistencies in using natural selection as a proof for macroevolution.
Evolutionary Scientists use the process of Natural selection as if it is a proof of macroevolution. However, a series of simple experiments that can be done at home or in the classroom, can provide evidenciary elaboration of this process and its actual outcome. Visit this page from Answers in Genesis which provides experiments and examples that may clarify the actual outcomes of natural selection.
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Current group members (first names only): Amanda (spring '09)
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All editors and writers (first names only): Amanda, Shelley, Loree and Jason (Spring '09)
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