Science sees evolution as accurate model of reality

Editor,

Evolution is both a theory and a fact. As a doctor and scientist at UNM, I would like to clarify where science actually stands on the issue of evolution. Richard Berthold, in his column published in the Daily Lobo on Nov. 16, claims: "Like Darwinian evolution, the idea that the Earth circles the sun is just a theory. But like evolution, it is a theory with an incredibly high probability of being correct ...." Donald Gluck, in his letter which appeared in the Daily Lobo on Tuesday, contradicts him.

However, Berthold is indeed correct. Gravity itself is both a theory and a fact, and just like evolution, both stand an incredibly high probability of being correct. Life evolves - this is a fact. Nearly all of science agrees with this point, and there is no debate within the halls of science. Geology, biology, genetics, paleontology, zoology, anthropology, chemistry, radiometrics - you name it - evolution stands on multiple verified hypotheses from multiple scientific disciplines with support and data from science universities across the world.

Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection is not evolution, just like the theory that the Earth orbits the sun is not the Earth orbiting the sun - it is a description and explanation of it. The theory of evolution is an explanation of the facts of evolution. It is an attempt to explain the observed fact in nature we call evolution. Even if the explanation is incorrect, it does not take away from the observed fact of evolution. Even if Newton's theory of gravity was incorrect, it does not take away from the observed fact of gravitation. The debate on where evolution stands has been printed within the pages of the Daily Lobo for weeks.

As a representative of the scientific establishment, I want to make it absolutely clear - in science, there is no debate. As far as science is concerned, evolution by natural selection is an accurate model of reality. There has been no significant challenge to it for the past 150 years. Evolution is supported by nearly every scientific discipline that can weigh in on the issue - it is the cornerstone of modern biology. It is not only a fact, but it explains facts and makes predictions, and researchers in science continue their studies using it as a framework.

Allen Leung

Fellow, UNM Humanist Society