Has Evolution occurred or not?

Evolution- Biology. change in the gene pool of a population from generation to generation by such processes as mutation, natural selection, and genetic drift.

I allow my opponent to explain why he or she believes in evolution to start the debate.

I thank my opponent for starting this debate.

***BACKGROUND***

My opponent has set forth the following resolution:

RESOLVED: Evolution has occurred

He is CON, I am PRO. As Instigator, My opponent will be arguing that evolution has not occurred and I shall be arguing that it has.

I will use my opponent's definition of Evolution but will not be limited by it. Science has shown that Evolution can occur by mechanisms other than the ones he has stated.

***ARGUMENT***

According to my opponent's definition, Evolution has occurred in microbes.

Ever since Penicillin was developed, antibiotics have been leading to an increase in bacterial resistance. The mechanism for this is well known ad documented- microbes which have natural genetic resistance are selected for. This is an example of natural selection in the works. We have not only been taught that these occur, but have also been taught the exact mechanisms, down to the very atoms.

There are a vast number of microbes that demonstrate natural selection. Antibiotic resistance is rampant now among bacteria, but it is also rampant among viruses. Different strains of influenza, such as the recent outbreak of H1N1, have developed resistance against traditional medications such as Oseltamivir or Tamiflu. The mechanisms for these mutations are also well known.

My opponent's definition clearly states that Evolution is demonstrated with change in the gene pool of a population from generation to generation by processes such as mutation, natural selection, and genetic drift. Streptococcus Pneumoniae and Staphylococcus Aureus, which have traditionally been treated with Penicillin, are now predominantly resistant because of the Beta Lactamase gene, which mutated and spread through the gene pool in response to the use of Beta Lactamase drugs. Furthermore, multi drug resistant strains of these microbes now exist because the gene pool has extended to cover a variety of other drug classes other than the Beta lactams.

Unless my opponent can establish a case against several decades of well-researched information, as well as combat my knowledge of Microbiology, and maintain that these changes are actually due to evil magical spirits, then the resolution is affirmed.

I thank my opponent and the audience, and look forward to my opponent's response.

***SOURCES***

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Regretfully, my opponent has forfeited the last round. My arguments extend forward.

Thank you.

Sadly again, my opponent has forfeited. I hope that he will be back at least for the final round.

I apologize to the audience for a wasted debate. Perhaps my opponent will be able to debate this issue again when he is able.

Thank you.