Weaknesses of evolution
Do scientists conceal weaknesses of evolution?Creationists cite disagreements among scientists as evidence against evolution. If these disagreements aren't evidence against evolution what are they?
In 1922 Woodrow Wilson responded to a query:If Wilson correctly reflects intellectual opinion of 1922, is evidence for evolution now better or worse than in 1922? Virtually any research scientist will confirm that evidence is now much better, for at least three reasons. Firstly radiometric dating is now firmly established. Secondly plate tectonics is now recognized as a primary force in geological history. Thirdly, nucleotide sequence comparisons confirm that mutation creates variation, that natural selection operates, and that common ancestry is essentially as Darwin predicted. Scientific advances confirm, rather than refute, evolutionWashington, D.C.Dear Professor Curtis:
29 August 1922
May it not suffice for me to say in reply to your letter of August 25th, that, of course, like every other man of intelligence and education, I do believe in organic evolution. It surprises me that at this late date such questions should still be raised.
Sincerely yours,
Woodrow Wilson
Biology is nothing if not complex. At best we know nucleotide sequences of ten genomes in a million. For sequenced genomes we can interpret only a fraction of available information. It's clear that the bulk of biology and evolutionary biology remain to be discovered. Controversies will remain for the foreseeable future, but research databases show that evolution remains a productive concept and that intelligent design and its ilk are sterile concepts.
Not only is science incomplete, but a portion of what we think we know is wrong or misleading. For example the "peppered moth" story has been attacked. Even if the story is incomplete or essentially wrong (scientific consensus is that it's not wrong) it won't affect overall confidence in evolution since the story is not a foundation of evolution. Only a theory which makes better predictions can replace evolution. No such theory is on the horizon.
Context of the letter