Why do we invoke Darwin? Evolutionary theory contributes little to experimental biology

by Philip S. Skell

Darwin's theory of evolution offers a sweeping explanation of the history of life, from the earliest microscopic organisms billions of years ago to all the plants and animals around us today. Much of the evidence that might have established the theory on an unshakable empirical foundation, however, remains lost in the distant past. For instance, Darwin hoped we would discover transitional precursors to the animal forms that appear abruptly in the Cambrian strata. Since then we have found many ancient fossils - even exquisitely preserved soft-bodied creatures - but none are credible ancestors to the Cambrian animals.

Despite this and other difficulties, the modern form of Darwin’s theory has been raised to its present high status because it is said to be the cornerstone of modern experimental biology. But is that correct?

First published August 1, 2005

About the author

Emeritus, Evan Pugh Prof. of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University

Member of the National Academy of Sciences