There is a huge debate regarding the origin of life on Earth. The theories of evolution and creationism, two contrasting speculations on the sources of life, have been under scrutiny for centuries (NCSE, 2003). Evolution describes the derivation of life from simple gases which served as the primordial soup for the first unicellular organisms, which later gave rise to the multi-cellular plants and animals that exist to this date. On the other hand, creationism claims that every living organism was generated by a supreme being in a matter of seven chronological events.Accumulation of research reports has provided irrevocable proof that evolution did occur on Earth, with strong scientific evidence from different areas of archaeology, biology and medicine.

The bigger picture of the origin of life based on the theory of evolution should be revisited in order to fully understand and appreciate the mechanisms behind such biological force. The concept of evolution Evolution serves as a unifying concept in the biological sciences by accepting several theories and hypotheses that attempt to explain the phenomenon of change over time through the use of scientific evidence (Charlesworth and Charlesworth, 2003).The phenomenon of evolution can be observed at two levels. Microevolution involves minute changes over a period which eventually results in an alteration that is phenotypically observed in an organism or a population. The large-scale changes, on the other hand, are considered as macroevolutionary changes, resulting in the transformation of higher taxa (Freeman and Herron, 2004).

A common way of describing biological entities is through the employment of common descent, which is associated with genetic origins of species, which then concludes that all biological species are related by genealogy.Such claims have been vehemently questioned and rejected by creationists. In order to further strengthen the claim that the theory of evolution is the main force that has regulated the entire Universe, this paper will present and describe the scientific evidence that favors the concept of common descent and macroevolution. This paper is also aimed to provide more information to those who are doubtful of the notion of evolution and that they may further understand the mechanisms behind the process.The scientific method and the theory of evolution Very much unlike the theory of creationism, evolution is far superior because it provides a detailed explanation of the gradual alterations that have occurred as a result of adaptation to the current condition of natural ecosystems. The theory of creationism, which is mainly a religious principle that is followed by several religious sects such as Islam, Christianity and Judaism, does not have substantial evidence except its depiction in religious writings such as the Bible.

The theory of evolution is supported by scientific evidence and proof that have been review, assessed and evaluated every time a new and more powerful technology emerges. Science has long been employed to demonstrate the occurrence of an event that is difficult to directly detect. In term of evolution and creationism, both concepts on the origin of life are hard to discern because these concepts describe events that take millions of years to complete.However, the theory of evolution is at an advantage in terms of proof because the scientific method provides a way in order to investigate a question or problem and the answers are generally demonstrated in the form of observations. Thus evolution can be deduced from scientific explorations, similar to what was conducted in the discovery of atoms, ultraviolet light, energy and genes. Evolution is thus supported by notable scientific data that can be tested and retested until the scientists are satisfied and convinced that the results are indeed true.

On the other hand, the theory of creationism is not suited for testing because the causative factor itself or a supreme being has to be evaluated or tested as a dependent variable in a scientific experiment. More importantly, before any experimental analysis is performed to prove the theory of creationism, the presence of a supreme being should first be ascertained. The applicability of the scientific method to the theory of evolution thus imparts additional strength to this concept wherein research results may not be falsified if the investigation was properly conducted.Conversely, the theory of creationism can be distorted and transformed into several views because it is not supported by any scientific evidence hence the translation of the concept is not standard and any individual may misrepresent the theory based on his principles and personality. Another factor that reinforces the theory of evolution as a far superior over creationism is that the validity of evolution is based on a plethora of evidence that is statistically robust.

The scientific method of research follows a procedure wherein all research data that is collected from the experiment should be tested for significance and predictability (Jaynes, 2003). This step selects which experimental results are noteworthy and which ones are artifacts. Statistical analysis is important in the analysis of scientific data because it determines whether results are probabilistic or merely random observations that vary depending on insignificant factors. Evolution and the scientific proofThe theory of evolution is far superior to the theory of creationism because it provides proven and detailed explanations of the gradual alterations that have occurred that have resulted in the current condition of natural ecosystems using different routes in biology and medicine (Theobald, 2004). Firstly, the advent of molecular biology techniques has provided evidential support with regards to genetic change through the identification of mutations that result in altered forms of genes as well as novel genes.In addition, the phenomena of genetic drift and gene flow have already been documented in the laboratory setting and in the wild.

Decades worth of research has now accumulated that show how mutations have induced transpositions of gene segments, duplications, insertions and recombination within a genome. The field of cytogenetics have described in details the homologies and differences in chromosome morphology between different species and taxa in terms of chromosome translocations, fusions and deletions.In the area of human evolution, current research data have shown the recurrent chromosomal rearrangements in the primate genome have resulted in species-specific genetic characteristics that suggest that speciation may have been the end-result of such occurrences. Scientific evidence is also strong with regards to the role of evolution and morphological change among different biological species. Morphological features have been employed in taxonomy and classification of species according to clades and taxa.

It is well known that every species shows at least a small similarity to another species, which is actually the main basis of evolution which states that changes in an organism accumulated through time. To date, there are still new species of plants and animals that are discovered and it is very interesting to know that the new species is easily classified according to its similarities to morphological features of previously identified species. The theory of evolution is also supported by scientific evidence regarding functional change.This notion is related to the differentiation of a species in order to survive in its niche. There is currently a global concern on the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria.

This health issue originated from the prolonged and unnecessary use of antibiotics in the treatment of simple bacterial infections such as upper respiratory tract infections. Scientific evidence has shown that the acquired resistance of bacteria to antibiotics is an evolutionary change that was necessary for the bacteria to survive in such harsh environments.It is known of prime importance to isolate and characterize a new type of antibiotic in order to control the new strain of bacteria that is spreading fast across the globe. It will be frustrating to try to explain the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria in terms of the theory of creationism. The scientific evidence with regards to stages of speciation strongly sustains the theory of evolution.

Research evidence has described specific populations that have been isolated for some duration and resulting in new distinct species or hybrids. This is evident in the new breeds of dogs that now exist.There is huge attention to the new miniature hybrid dogs such as the cross between a Labrador and a poodle, resulting in the “labra-poo” or the hybrid that results from the cross between a Shih Tzu and a Poodle or the “shih-poo. ” Fossil record has also served as scientific proof that the theory of evolution is real. The archaeological relics of different stages of primitive human forms have been unearthed and these support the path of human descent (Zimmer, 2007). In addition, dinosaur fossils have validated the existence and extinction of these huge mammals.

If the theory of creation were true, dinosaurs should still exist today because all living things were created at the same time and should have the ability to survive any kind of environmental disturbance. The evidence of fossils of extinct species thus shows that natural selection indeed occurs on Earth and that those biological species that are not fit for survival tend to go extinct and the fossils are the only yet strongest proof that these species were once roaming around the surface of the Earth (Cartwright et al. , 2007).There is also fossil evidence of the first unicellular and multicellular organisms that existed million of years ago including the first nematodes, fishes, birds and mammals (Sibly and Brown, 2007).

The initial results of the Human Genome Sequencing Consortium have strongly supported the theory of evolution by indicating that the human and chimpanzee genomes are 98% identical in terms of DNA sequences. This report suggested that a common ancestor must have existed right before these two species diverged from the common evolutionary tree.One of the most striking claims of the theory of evolution is that humans descended from a series of speciation events, of which the last common ancestor was that of the Great Ape species. This concept strongly collides with the teachings of the Book of Genesis from the Bible which describes that Adam was created from dust.

It will be very difficult to prove the creationist approach for the story of Adam, yet on the other hand, there is a growing list of reports that migration, mutation and mutational events occurred that eventually resulted in the different ethnic groups that are currently situated around the world.Conclusion For the past fifty years, there has been an intense debate regarding the inclusion of the concepts on the origin of life in course curricula in schools. The overabundance of scientific evidence strongly validates that the theory of evolution is far superior over the theory of creationism. It is thus of prime importance that evolution be academically accepted and taught in school because exclusion of this controversial topic may result in gaps and poor comprehension of the origin of life among students.It is of human nature that man will not believe unless they actually see the proof that a particular concept or theory is true, yet in terms of proving the theory of creationism, such efforts may not be successful because religion itself is based on belief and no scientific evidence will be strong enough the validate any religious-based theory.

In terms of the theory of evolution, a plethora of research results now exist and the reports are still continuing to increase, all pointing out that there is a gradual change of species through time, with mutations and chromosomal alterations serving as the driving force for speciation.Referencehttp://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/comdesc/