Review of Jerry A. Coyne's Book Why Evolution is True

Abstract

Looking for the missing links that have kick started our view of the human family tree. Scientists have dedicated years to researching the beginning of our existence. Jerry A. Coyne proceeds to share with us his thoughts and responses to these irrefutable findings. Why Evolution is True gives you all the information you may need to make an informed decision, whether it be for a intelligent design or the theory of evolution.

Chapter 1 - What Is Evolution?

Jerry A. Coyne kicks off his book Why Evolution is True, by debating the six elements that make up the theory of evolution the six components that make up the theory of evolution. These six components consist of evolution, gradualism, speciation, common ancestry, natural selection, and nonselective mechanisms of evolutionary change. Coyne describes how the world we live in today was formed by these parts. We have come so far in evolution over the last 3.5 billion years. Over time, the first component evolution has triggered a genetic and DNA sequence shift for all living things.

Gradualism is the second element mentioned in relation to evolutionary theory. Evolutionary advancements can only happen over time, that is where gradualism comes into play. It can take a significant amount of time for a change to take place in our DNA sequence. This would explain why it took roughly 3.5 billion years to create what we are today.

Coyne describes speciation and common ancestry as two flip sides of a coin because weather you’re talking about humans, reptiles, or mammals we all share comparable characteristics. Biochemical pathways and a conventional four-letter DNA code can be found among all species. This discovery explains how all have evolved from a single ancestor. All species have split off from this common ancestor, creating a very diverse earth.

Natural selection is a theory that comes from Darwinism. Not all species members are entirely genetically identical. Our “healthy” genes are maintained, reinforced, and transmitted through generations. This process weeds out our “bad” genes. This evolutionary process is how species reinforce adapt to survive in their environment. Over time, natural selection can shape species that look new and evolved.

Chapter 2-Written in the Rocks

At a young age, I learned about fossils and we even went exploring for them in primary school. Growing up in Oregon it was common to drive to Richardson’s Rock Ranch where the main goal was searching for agates, however, there was always a time where they would show us fossils that have been found on the massive property. At the time it was unfathomable to me how old these were. Coyne writes that the estimated total number of animals that have inhabited this earth is between 17 million–4 billion which would leave a lot to discover beneath the earth. The life of a fossil is not an easy one, once a creature is buried and fossilizes it must survive the constant shifting of the earth. This would explain why many fossils do not stay intact.

Personally, I grew up in a religious house, but I do not believe they exposed me to a young world theory. So reading that others belief in a 6 thousand year old world is hard for me to understand how these early creationists could be misguided by the facts. Evolution has been concreted through the discovery of fossils. We can see the clear theory of evolution from fish to humans over billions of years. Coyne talks a lot about a “missing link” which in 2004 was found and named Tiktaalik. Tiktaalik, was the first link between sea creatures and land dwellers. The ancient fish could live underwater but also had the ability to survive on land due to their unique necks and the development of legs that could hold them in a push-up like position.

Without fossil evidence and qualified people to interpret the data, I think evolution would be a hard theory for us to grasp. The results of these fossil discoveries have changed how we view our ancestry.

Chapter 3–Remnants: Vestiges, Embryos, and Bad Design

Chapter three of the Coyne book covers a few powerful pieces of evidence that support the theory of evolution. I have always had a vague understanding of the history of evolution and can honestly say I have been a skeptic to certain parts of the theory. I have had an open mind while reviewing the text in the Coyne book and he did not let his readers down with providing evidence and pertinent information. In this chapter he discusses vestiges, embryos and bad design.

Vestiges are features of an animal that have lost their usefulness. Evolution works to create a species that can adapt to their environments; however, not all animals will need all the same features that their ancestors had. Jerry A. Coyne uses the example of an ostrich, “the wings of the ostrich are a vestigial trait: a feature of a species that was an adaptation in its ancestors, but that has either lost its usefulness completely or, as in the ostrich has been co-opted for a new use.” This is only one example almost all creatures go through changes that may not be useful as time and environments change.

Atavisms is an ancient unique trait that can develop from time to time in different species. An example of this that could be alarming to us as humans now is the formation of a human tail on a baby. It is uncommon now, but it has not always been. If you trace human ancestry back, you find that tails were not uncommon. Though it is shocking for us to learn about in modern times but we all have the possibility of this ancient trait, it is just deactivated now because we have no use for it.

This next section really puts creationism under tough speculation, mentioning that if everything was created by an intelligent designer, then we would have been created with a near perfect design. I do not agree with the statement but I do agree that there are many things that could be improved upon. Following the Bible, you would think that childbirth is a painful experience because of Eves sin, Genesis 3:16 states, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children.” However, the theory of evolution would explain this in a very different way, over time babies developed a larger head, though the female pelvis stayed the same size to allow walking and leg function. This is how a more scientific approach would explain the difficulties of childbirth and explain why the birth process would be considered a “bad design.”

Chapter 4–The Geography of Life

When hearing the story of Noah and his ark, it is hard to put together how different species with very similar features have ended up all over the world. I struggle with the idea that the stories I have learned throughout my life have evidence gaps, but the theory of evolution draws out questions. Throughout primary school, you learn about continental drift and can see how all these different land masses fit together. Continental drift would be a valid answer to some of these things that creationist stories cannot answer.

Envoi as stated in the book by Jerry A. Coyne is defined as the biogeography’s main lesson. In brief, it illustrates that the only way to explain the variety of life on continents and islands is evolution.

Chapter 5–The Engine of Evolution

“Natural selection is the most misunderstood part of Darwinism,” it states this in Coyne’s book while he kicks starts chapter 5. There are three major aspects necessary in creating an adaptation by natural selection. First, we need a population that has diverse variables. To create this adaptation, the population must consist of different kinds of the same species, the Coyne book uses mice with different coat colors as an example.

The second variation has to come from changes in the forms of genes. These genes must be able to be passed on from generation to generation. That is the only way natural selection can be successful. The final stage for natural selection is that genetic variation must affect an individual’s probability of leaving offspring. Though natural selection is a necessary part of life, it contains significant randomness and lawfulness.

A Darwinism outlook is, “everything happens by chance,” well an evolutionist perspective would argue that. In evolution, everything that is done has purpose. It is a process essential to the survival of species.

Chapter 6–How Sex Drives Evolution

“Let's talk about sex, baby,” as humans we have a different outlook on the purpose of sex and it may be easy to forget it plays an essential role in our survival as a species. Reproduction is how we pass on genes and keep our population strong. We can see sexual selection in two main forms: direct competition and female choosiness. Both selection types involve the male competing for the females and this is something that can be seen through most species. Just like how a male peacock will raise its tail to show its feathers in an attempt to woo the female peacock.

Coyne describes sex as one of evolutions greatest mysteries. There are many theories and questions on why sex is a more common reproductive process over asexual species. It is thought that females can somehow sense good and bad genes in males. This is an idea that is hard for me to grasp, but not all species can process what they see in a mate like a human can.

Chapter 7–The Origin of Species

A group of animals more like each other than members of other communities, this makes up a species. There would not be any biodiversity without distinct species; only one long developed offspring of the very first species would exist. Not only do species look distinct, they also have obstacles preventing inbreeding, such as a human and an ape. So, this leads to many questions about how we developed such a diverse group of new species.

Well they describe species as evolutionary accidents, unlike what Darwin had previously thought. These “accidents” are thought to have come from the hypothesis that speciation mainly depends on geographic isolation, there must have been many possibilities for populations to experience that isolation throughout life history. After all, today there are millions of species on earth. How we found how species emerge is somewhat similar to how astronomers found how stars develop over time.

Chapter 8–What About Us?

The amount of bone evidence that has been found about humans’ ancient ancestors is truly amazing. Science has filled in many blanks in our “family tree.” Coyne clearly creates an image of the process we have taken through history in terms of evolution. Though we differ greatly from apes now regarding our sequence of genes. Not only are we physically different from apes, but we have much different behavioral patterns that distinguish us. As well as humans' ability to speak and communicate amongst each other. Though there has been some pretty incredible advancements with teaching apes sign language, there is still a great divide between our speech production and theirs. However, our brain size and function is probably the greatest difference between us and our ancient ancestors.

Coyne talks about variations of physical differences in the human race. It is amazing that since we have all evolved from the same species, you might almost think all humans should be closer in their physical appearance. It is hard to believe that some can be so prejudice against other races when in reality only about 10-15 percent of all human genetic variations are represented by differences in physical appearance between races. The rest of the genetic variations happen between people within race, 85-90percent. In conclusion, the DNA results show a very minor genetic difference among human races.

Chapter 9–Evolution Redux

To conclude his book, Coyne speaks about where we are as a whole with evolutional theory today. While most biologists accept the theory there are several variations of the details. Not all scientists believe that we took the same path, but they seem to all be on the same page that evolution is irrefutable. Even through reading this book I don’t believe that everyone will be convinced, and that is okay in my opinion. I have some beliefs of my own that would not be Coyne approved, but that is my right. Why Evolution is True, was very informational and I firmly believe it is a must read for anyone with questions about evolution.