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'''Common descent''' is a [[scientific theory]] in [[Biology]] it can be applied on two levels, with a [[clad]] or group of species being said to share a recent common ancestor, or the broader theory which states that all organisms on earth originated from a single common ancestor. The theory is usually used in support of the [[Theory of Evolution]].

'''Common descent''' is an idea in [[Biology]] which is applied on two levels, with a group of species being said to share a recent common ancestor, or the broader conjecture, [[universal common ancestry]], which asserts that all organisms on earth originated from common ancestors. The idea of common descent is usually associated with Darwin's [[Theory of Evolution]], but creationists often suggest it as a solution to the difficulty of the Ark capacity limit.

Darwin wrote:

Darwin wrote:

:"When I view all beings not as special creations, but as the lineal descendants of some few beings which lived long before the first bed of the [[Silurian]] system was deposited, they seem to me to become ennobled."

:"When I view all beings not as special creations, but as the lineal descendants of some few beings which lived long before the first bed of the [[Silurian]] system was deposited, they seem to me to become ennobled."

Dr. Jonathon Wells published a book in 2002 entitled ''[[Icons of Evolution]]''.  Dr. Wells contends the book shows that "the best-known “evidences” for Darwin’s theory have been exaggerated, distorted or even faked."<ref>http://www.discovery.org/scripts/viewDB/index.php?command=view&id=1180</ref><ref>http://www.iconsofevolution.com/</ref><ref>http://www.discovery.org/articleFiles/PDFs/survivalOfTheFakest.pdf</ref>

Also, [[Jonathan Wells]] in his book [[Icons of Evolution]] made the claim that many current biology textbooks use distorted pictures of vertebrate embryos to convince students that vertebrates share a common ancestor. [http://www.nmsr.org/jonwells.htm (Wells)] However, this statement has been heavily criticized by many scientists who have reviewed his book as being misleading in some cases and false in others. [http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/wells/haeckel.html] [http://chem.tufts.edu/AnswersInScience/Coyne-IconsReview.htm]

[[category: biology]]

Dr. [[Jonathan Wells]] published a book in 2002 entitled ''[[Icons of Evolution]]''.  Dr. Wells says that "the best-known “evidences” for Darwin’s theory have been exaggerated, distorted or even faked."<ref>http://www.discovery.org/scripts/viewDB/index.php?command=view&id=1180</ref><ref>http://www.iconsofevolution.com/</ref><ref>http://www.discovery.org/articleFiles/PDFs/survivalOfTheFakest.pdf</ref>

Also, he says that many current biology textbooks use distorted pictures of vertebrate embryos to convince students that vertebrates share a common ancestor. [http://www.nmsr.org/jonwells.htm (Wells)]

On the other hand, noted evolutionist [[Stephen Gould]] wrote the following regarding Ernst Haeckel's work in a March 2000 issue of ''Natural History'':

On the other hand, noted evolutionist [[Stephen Gould]] wrote the following regarding Ernst Haeckel's work in a March 2000 issue of ''Natural History'':

</blockquote>

</blockquote>

Creationist scientists have written regarding the nature of Haeckel's work and how a prestigious German science journal published a work that they believe was invalid.<ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v18/i2/haeckel.asp</ref><ref>http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/747</ref>

Creationist scientists have written regarding the nature of [[Haeckel]]'s work and how a prestigious German science journal published a work that they believe was invalid.<ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v18/i2/haeckel.asp</ref><ref>http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/747</ref>