The Selfish Gene Essay Research Paper Creationism

The Selfish Gene Essay, Research Paper

Creationism is a Bible based view of human origin that states humans were created in their current form and have not changed, or evolved, throughout the years. However the belief that our species has changed over time to suit our environment is considered evolution. As both sides possess strong evidence for their conclusions, the debate that stemmed many years ago, even before

the famous Scopes trial, has no end in sight.

Recently state education boards in Kansas, Alabama and Kentucky have given school districts the opportunity to decide for themselves whether creationism will be taught, along with evolution, in their classrooms. Furthermore, the state of Colorado has dropped all questions on their standardized tests that pertain to evolution. Conversely, on October 8th, 1999 the New Mexico Board of

Education voted overwhelmingly to limit the statewide science curriculum to the teaching of evolution (Janofsky 1).

Creationists refer to the Bible to explain that the creator developed the universe, including Adam and Eve. But, creationists also use science to disprove the theory of evolution. Through the second law of thermodynamics, which states that a system is always heading towards disorder, creationists explain that there was once a time when the universe was more orderly and that singularity existed approximately 15 billion years ago. If this is true, where did this singularity come from? Creationists believe that only a superior

creator could have set forth this condition.

Although evolution is only a theory, it is widely accepted and is

based solely on scientific data. Through the second law of thermodynamics evolutionists believe that humans should continue in a pattern of disorder as are those things neglected in a system. However, humans have become more orderly and more suited for their environment, clearly a process that is carried out by gradual change over time. Through Charles Darwin s The Origin of Species, published in 1859, the world was introduced to natural selection and

the theory of evolution. In his autobiography, Darwin states It was evident that such facts as these, as well as many others, could be explained on the supposition that species gradually become modified (118-119). This type of thinking in his times was extremely radical and unheard of, but throughout the years evolution has been explored further and accepted by most scientists.

Further research into the origin of man proved that genes were the maps by which humans change. In The Selfish Gene, Richard Dawkins states “……[T]he fundamental unit of selection, and therefore of self-interest, is not the species, nor the group, nor even, strictly, the individual. It is the gene, the unit of heredity” (11).

As long as there is religion and scientists are exploring the origin of man, the debate on creationism and evolution will proceed. As with all debates this will continue until something better comes along to replace it. Without Charles Darwin as a spark of this debate, humans might still be wondering aimlessly without a clue as to their origin.

Works Cited

Darwin, Charles. The Autobiography of Charles Darwin: 1809-1882.

New York: Harcourt, 1959.

Dawkins, Richard. The Selfish Gene. New York: Oxford, 1989.

Janofsky, Michael. ” New Mexico Bars Creationism From State

Curriculum.” New York Times Oct. 1999. New York Times

website. Online. Internet. 14, Oct. 1999.