At an individual level, it might not matter much. However, any modern society which bases major decisions on superstition rather than reality is heading for disaster So your brother or mother is a creationist. Let them believe what they want, you might think. After all, it makes family get-togethers a lot easier and no difference to…

In fact, evolution sometimes results in individuals or populations becoming less fit and may occasionally even lead to extinction. The phrase “survival of fittest” is widely misunderstood (see ‘Survival of the fittest’ justifies everyone for themselves). Many wrongly assume it means that evolution always increases the chances of a species surviving. There are several ways in which…

You don’t have to be perfectly adapted to survive, you just have to be as well adapted as your competitors. The apparent perfection of plants and animals may be more a reflection of our poor imaginations than of reality. It’s a theme repeated endlessly in wildlife documentaries. Again and again we are told how perfectly…

In fact, natural selection often leads to ever greater simplicity. And, in many cases, complexity may initially arise when selection is weak or absent. If you don’t use it, you tend to lose it. Evolution often takes away rather than adding. For instance, cave fish lose their eyes, while parasites like tapewormslose their guts. Such simplification might be much…

Much change is due to random genetic drift rather than positive selection. It could be called the survival of the luckiest. Take a look in the mirror. The face you see is rather different to that of a Neanderthal. Why? The unflattering answer could be for no other reason than random genetic drift. With features…

We tend to assume that all characteristics of plants and animals are adaptations that have arisen through natural selection. Many are neither adaptations nor the result of selection at all. Why do so many of us plonk ourselves down in front of the telly with a microwave meal after a tiring day? Because it’s convenient?…

There are numerous evolutionary mechanisms that might explain homosexual behaviour, which is common in many species of animals. “Simple reasoning shows that evolution cannot explain homosexuality – how would a homosexuality gene get selected for?” “Why have the genetic traits predisposing to homosexuality not been eliminated long ago?” Such arguments are surprisingly common – and…