August 22, 2011

Falsifying the Theory of Created Evolution

So, I said I'd address whether this theory of designed evolution is falsifiable or not. The simple answer is that it is falsifiable. It makes certain predictions as I've mentioned in a previous post. If none or few of those predictions were valid, then this theory of designed evolution would be essentially falsified.

The best way to falsify a major element of this theory is to show that macroevolution is fully operational today, such that fruit flies can still evolve into dragonflies or something similar. So far, tests on flies have shown no ability for them to evolve beyond minor adaptations.

One way to falsify that evolution was designed would be to show that purely random processes, like mutations, could account for the complexity in life and the past quick progress of evolution. If randomness can easily account for efficiency in organisms, then there would be no basis for believing that evolution was a designed process and it would be more logical to presume it was purely the result of nature. So far, evolutionists are stumped as to how complexity seems to be so commonplace in nature. If complexity were rare then evolution would seem to be nothing more than an accident, but complexity is too common. They also are aware that evolution has proceeded at a rapid speed, which is also hard to understand.

Probably the best way to totally annihilate the idea of created evolution is to show a relatively likely step-by-step process whereby inorganic life could result in DNA-based, cellular life given the known conditions of the early earth. Even though a few steps for such a process have been hypothesized, there is currently no known pathway from beginning to end that could explain how modern cell types formed from natural chemical processes. The few steps that have been proposed are hypothetical and could easily be nothing more than the result of creative imaginations trying to find answers to the origins of life. One step that is proposed is that RNA replicators formed, but the currently known RNA replicators are long chains of RNA (over 100 nucleotides) that would have been extremely unlike to have formed by accident even over millions of years. Thus, currently, the created evolution theory stands as viable.

Another easy way to demonstrate that evolution was not created (at least by a wise Designer) would be to show that most cells are inefficiently designed. It would be unthinkable that an infinitely wise God would create a bunch of inefficient cells, since these are the building blocks of life, and there is no evidence that cells were ever more complex or efficient. However, as it turns out, scientists are finding that cells are like efficient, complex, ingenious factories. Once again, the idea of created evolution is reasonable. All evolutionists need to do is prove that most cells could have been built more efficiently by showing an alternative design. But, we hardly have begun to understand the full complexity of cells, so that would be an unrealistic dream.

All in all, the evidence for design is quite overwhelming if a person remains open to the idea. There is no good evidence to show that life was just a random accident.

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