In response to “Evolution: theory, not fact,” in Feb. 7 edition of Technician.

The argument presented in this column is, unfortunately, flawed from the start, and it is this flaw existing in practically every argument I have ever read regarding Creationism versus evolution. Namely, this flaw is the thought that evolution is a theory. This is not true. Evolution is an observed phenomenon. Natural Selection is a theory meant to explain why the phenomenon of evolution exists.

In the same way you or I can observe an apple will fall if released from a height, Darwin—among others of his time—observed if you look across the fossil record, it becomes obvious the species existing today are drastically different than those existing five thousand years ago. This is the phenomenon of evolution: species appear to change characteristics over time, sometimes becoming entirely new species. Darwin presented his theory of Natural Selection as an explanation for this observed occurrence.

If a professor claims evolution is undoubtedly true, this professor is making a correct claim. In the past hundred years, we have performed experiments demonstrating the phenomena of evolution. This is most easily seen when dealing with bacteria, which can exhibit evolution in a matter of months. The fear of anti-biotic resistant bacteria comes directly out of proof the phenomena of evolution exists, specifically that bacteria today is evolving to resist the medicine we created to fight it.

Dog breeding is another example of evolution. The species Canis lupus familiaris, more commonly the domestic dog, has undergone many observable changes even in the past five hundred years. We know this is a result of humans selectively breeding dogs for desired traits, but what is undeniable is the fact the species as a whole has changed and exhibited evolution.

What this column does is further promote the ignorance so many have in regard to evolution and its place in biology as opposed to educate people. I am sorry to have seen its publication. Lastly, have faith in your professors. If your instructor was in fact a full-fledged professor as opposed to just an instructor, he or she earned their knowledge. He or she didn’t pull it off the latest edition of Fox News. Chances are, your professors knows what they are talking about.

Luther Blackwood

senior, computer engineering