Truth in Science

This is an inaccurate caricature of the beliefs and methodology of creationists. Most creationists believe that some speciation events have occured since creation, and seek to use scientific methods to detect the natural limits of evolution.

The authors do not acknowledge that evolutionists have strongly held beliefs, which can cause them to ignore evidence which conflicts with their theories. But in discussing the origin of the first organic molecules, the textbook makes a statement which suggests that current theories are being driven– not by the evidence – but by  the presupposition that organic molecules formed by natural means alone:

...the lack of oxygen in the atmosphere would probably be a necessity since…it is far easier to generate organic molecules in a reducing atmosphere. (p. 882)

The authors are suggesting that the earth once had an atmosphere lacking oxygen, on the basis that this would be most suitable for generation of organic molecules. If we look at the evidence, rather than being driven by the presupposition that life arose by natural processes, we find that in fact geochemical evidence does not prove the earth’s early atmosphere lacked oxygen.

This textbook has a diagram of an experiment carried out by Stanley Miller

...in which he synthesised amino acids from gases under conditions thought to have been present in the primeval atmosphere. (p. 882)

In fact, mainstream science no longer believes that Miller had the correct composition of gases. For more information see: The Miller-Urey Experiment. 

At the end of the section on the origin of life, the authors admit:

Despite the simplified account given above, the problem of the origin(s) of life remains. All that has been outlined is speculative and, despite tremendous advances in biochemistry, answers to the problem remain hypothetical...Details of the transition from complex non-living materials to simple living organisms remain a mystery. (p. 883).

Despite such admissions, the authors clearly have great confidence in evolutionary theory:

The term 'evolution' has a special place in the study of the history of life. It has become the unifying concept which underpins the whole study of biology. (p. 884).

In surveying evidence for evolution, the authors admit that:

...in all cases [the data] is interpreted [in this book] in terms that assume evolution does occur. Circular arguments and exceptions to the evidence are common and alternative explanations can be found, but the broad concept of evolution is backed up by a wealth of scientific evidence. (p. 888)

This is confusing. The authors admit to using circular arguments and questionable evidence, yet claim that there is good evidence for evolution. The reader is left wondering why the authors do not present only good, clear evidence and arguments for evolution, and migth question whether this exists at all.

One line of evidence is The Fossil Record, which the authors are honest in pointing out that:

One of the major criticisms of using fossil evidence in support of an evolutionary theory is the lack of a continous fossil record. Gaps in the fossil record ('missing links') are taken as strong evidence against a theory of desent with modification. (page 889).

The authors seek to explain these gaps away, and refer to the theory of Punctuated Equilibrium as a reason for the gaps.

The fossil history of the Horse is described as

...one of the best examples of evolutionary history (phylogeny) based on an almost complete fossil record (p. 890)

But a few paragraphs later, the authors admit:

The history of the horse does not show a gradual transition regularly spaced in time and locality, and neither is the fossil record totally complete. (p. 890)

Homology is covered as evidence, but not proof, for evolution:

Whilst homology does not prove that evolution has occurred, the existence of homology within a group of organisms is interpreted as evidence of their descent from a common ancestor and indicates close phylogenetic relationships. p. 897

The authors also use evidence from comparative Embryology, and discuss Haekel's idea that 'ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny.'

Whilst this principle over-generalises the situation, it is attractive and there is some evidence to support it. (p. 899)

The book presents some of Haekel's fraudulent drawings, and claims that:

As development proceeds in the vertebrate embryo, changes occur which produce the characteristics of fish, amphibian, reptile, bird or mammal depending upon the embryo's parentage. (p. 899)

They conclude from the evidence surveyed that:

Neo-Darwinian evolutionary theory is based on evidence from a broad range of sources and supported by a mass of otherwise unrelated observations. This constitutes to the scientist the strongest type of evidence for the 'validity' of the theory. Evolution is widely accepted amongst scientists but there is still much work to be done in refining the theory and its application to all observed circumstances.

All scientific accounts, hypotheses and theories of the history of life are tentative and, as long as we remain objective in our search for truth, will remain so. (p. 904).

Evidence for human evolution is explained, though again a clear picture does not emerge:

Recent evidence, based on comparative biochemistry, has suggested that gorillas and chimpanzees may have diverged from human stock as recently as 5 million years ago. No supporting evidence of this exists as yet. (p. 905).

With Darwinian logic, the authors advocate a limited form of eugenics in society:

There are strong arguments for the excercise of limited forms of eugenic practice...the dangers of eugenics lie in their possible abuse. (p. 918).

Whilst this book is exceptional in its honesty about the shortcomings of the case for evolution, the authors are never to follow these to the logical conclusion of doubting the theory itself. This makes for a very confusing read, as we are constantly being informed that the evidence has short-comings, yet overall is convincing. No scientific alternative to Darwinism as a theory of origins in suggested, all alternatives being treated as religious in nature.