Evolution That Anyone Can Understand

Evolution that Anyone can Understand (working title)

The topics I would like to cover include fossil genes, isolating mechanisms, genetic drift, and the like. I would also like to tackle a couple of the myths that seem to persist about evolution: specifically that it is flawed because it is "only a theory," and that it is somehow antithetical to religious belief. Regarding the former, I would use the cell theory and atomic theory as comparisons to show that scientific theories are fact based, useful in making predictions, and flexible. The latter is a bit more problematic, but I would try to show that science deals with the natural world and has no means of or interest in dealing with the supernatural. I would do my best to not attack anyone's belief's, but I would show by chapter and verse that the Bible contains conflicting information and cannot be used as a scientific document. In addition, I would point out that the discoveries of Galileo and Copernicus did not destroy religion, though there was fear they would at the time. I would also avoid to the best of my abilities a dogmatic march through geologic history, using dinosaurs and the like only as illustrations.

From what I saw and from what I've seen in the past, my approach would be less "clinical." My intention is to go into more detail on evolution around us, including bacterial drug resistance and insect pesticide resistance, as well as recent extinctions, and I believe that I'll be handling the religious argument differently, hopefully to show that both "sides" do not disprove the other by proving their own.

Tentative Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction: Exactly What is Evolution?

The nature of change in biological history

Chapter 2: What’s God Got to do with It?

Biblical contradictions and the growth of human understanding of natural phenomena.

Chapter 3: But It’s Only a Theory

The nature of scientific theory, exemplified by Germ, Cell, and Atomic Theories

Chapter 4: Ice Fish and Other Genetic Anomalies

Fossil genes, vestigial organs, and relict behavior

Chapter 5: Islands in the Sky and Elsewhere

Genetic isolation and speciation

Chapter 6: Superbugs

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria and pesticide resistant-insects

Chapter 7: How Does It Work?

Gene mutation and natural selection

Chapter 8: What’s the Evidence?

The fossil record and embryologic similarity

Chapter 9: Is It Happening Now?

Selective breeding and habitat fragmentation

Chapter 10: What About Us?

A brief look at human evolution