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The fundamental statement of '''natural selection''' is that heritable traits which are beneficial will tend to become more numerous in successive generations, while heritable traits which are harmful will tend to become more scarce. The traits are defined to be beneficial if they become more numerous in successive generations. This principle is general, and applies to any system of individuals which reproduce; it is most commonly applied to systems of living organisms. It is sometimes summarized by the slogan, ''survival of the fittest''.  

The fundamental statement of '''natural selection''' is that heritable traits which are beneficial will tend to become more numerous in successive generations, while heritable traits which are harmful will tend to become more scarce. The traits are defined to be beneficial if they become more numerous in successive generations. This principle is general, and applies to any system of individuals which reproduce; it is most commonly applied to systems of living organisms. It is sometimes summarized by the slogan, ''survival of the fittest''.  

Natural selection is often thought of as being synonymous with [[Theory of evolution|evolution]],<ref>For example, a draft [[New Zealand]] science curriculum confuses the two.  Lamb, Andrew, [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/5047/ Evaluating an evolutionary science curriculum], 14th April, 2007(Creation Ministries International).</ref> although they are distinct concepts, and [[creationism|creationists]] accept that natural selection is a real, observed, process.  Natural selection, however, is the mechanism by which evolution takes place, which essentially means that evolution is also a real, observed, process.

Natural selection is often thought of as being synonymous with [[Theory of evolution|evolution]],<ref>For example, a draft [[New Zealand]] science curriculum confuses the two.  Lamb, Andrew, [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/5047/ Evaluating an evolutionary science curriculum], 14th April, 2007(Creation Ministries International).</ref> although they are distinct concepts, and [[creationism|creationists]] accept that natural selection is a real, observed, process.

==General Requirements==

==General Requirements==

In any such system, individuals whose traits allow them to reproduce more effectively will soon come to dominate the population.

In any such system, individuals whose traits allow them to reproduce more effectively will soon come to dominate the population.

Natural selection has been called a tautology by a few people because it follows from its definition, and because it has no observable consequences by itself that anyone has ever tested against an alternate theory.  

Natural selection has been called a tautology because it follows from its definition, and because it has no observable consequences by itself that anyone has ever tested against an alternate theory.  

== Variation and Randomness ==

== Variation and Randomness ==

Blyth described it as "a mechanism by which the sick, old and unfit were removed from a population; that is, as a preserving factor and for the maintenance of the status quo—the created kind".<ref>Grigg, Russell, [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/493/ Darwin’s illegitimate brainchild], ''Creation'' 26(2):39–41, March 2004.</ref>

Blyth described it as "a mechanism by which the sick, old and unfit were removed from a population; that is, as a preserving factor and for the maintenance of the status quo—the created kind".<ref>Grigg, Russell, [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/493/ Darwin’s illegitimate brainchild], ''Creation'' 26(2):39–41, March 2004.</ref>

Evolution uses the idea of Natural Selection to explain why some living things survive at the expense of other living things, but Natural Selection doesn't explain how the variations to select from came to be.  That honor belongs to mutation and recombination of genetic traits during meiosis and fertilization.

Evolution uses the idea of Natural Selection to explain why some living things survive at the expense of other living things, but Natural Selection doesn't explain how the variations to select from came to be.

Variations can arise in at least two different ways.

Variations can arise in at least two different ways.

* When male and female produce offspring, half the offspring's [[Deoxyribonucleic acid|DNA]] is derived from each parent.  Thus the offspring have a different selection of genetic [[information]] than either parent.

* When male and female produce offspring, half the offspring's [[Deoxyribonucleic acid|DNA]] is derived from each parent.  Thus the offspring have a different selection of genetic [[information]] than either parent.

According to evolution, mutations can give rise to new genetic information, thus the offspring can have new capabilities that were not coded in the DNA of their parents, and that Natural Selection will therefore select for these new capabilities if they constitute a survival advantage.

According to evolution, mutations can give rise to new genetic information, thus the offspring can have new capabilities that were not coded in the DNA of their parents, and that Natural Selection will therefore select for these new capabilities if they constitute a survival advantage.

Creationists reject this claim (of mutations producing new genetic information), on the grounds that it has not been observed in science.  However, it is easily seen in the evolution of the bacterium that could dissolve nylon, a synthetic material developed in the 20th century.

Creationists reject this claim (of mutations producing new genetic information), on the grounds that it has not been observed in science.

In the example above of plans for a dam, the engineer started off with plans that had been designed by someone, and although some of the measurements were altered, nothing new was introduced.

In the example above of plans for a dam, the engineer started off with plans that had been designed by someone, and although some of the measurements were altered, nothing new was introduced.

For example, if the original plans did not include a bypass tunnel, no amount of altering measurements on the plan would produce one. However, analogies can never be synonymous with reality, and evolution is easily proved and observed.

For example, if the original plans did not include a bypass tunnel, no amount of altering measurements on the plan would produce one.

 

We see that variations only come to already-existing plans (DNA), and that changes to the plans produce nothing new.

== References ==

== References ==