Evolution as the Complex Mechanism of Creation Essay

Evolution as the Complex Mechanism of Creation - Essay Example Biological evolution in the essence is descent with modification. Pojeta and Springer clearly stated that evolution could not occur without genetic variation. The ultimate source of variation is manifested on the changes or mutations in the sequence of the building blocks of the genetic material carried on the chromosomes in eggs and sperm (10). This material is what is called as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). This definition encompasses small-scale evolution (changes in gene frequency in a population from one generation to the next) and large-scale evolution (the descent of different species from a common ancestor over many generations). An article published on the Internet entitled â€Å"Understanding Evolution† enumerated several mechanisms in the evolution process. Among these, the mechanism of mutation basically revolved around DNA modifications. Mutation is a change in gene structure from the original parent genes. This could be brought about by several factors within the organism or of the environment. Dr. Amanda Ewart Toland, postgraduate researcher University of California San Francisco reported that other changes in the genetic structures are introduced as a result of DNA damage through environmental agents including sunlight, tobacco smoke, and radiation. â€Å"Although some changes may prove to be harmful or fatal, other changes produce variations that convey a survival advantage to the organism. It is these variations, when passed on, that give advantages to the next generation. "(Pojeta and Springer 11) If the genetic change would have favorable effect to the offspring for survival this would be retained and further refined in the future generations with subsequent mutations. Charles Darwin called this process by which favorable variations are passed from generation to generation as "Natural selection." Evolution and its impact on religion (Discuss the religious impacts of teaching evolution and whether mandatory teaching of evolution undermines religious