Hot takes: Does UAA believe in evolution?

Since this month’s edition of The Northern Light is the “Sex Edition,” it would be incomplete to discuss sex without mentioning evolution.

Sex and evolution are inextricably linked. Sexual reproduction facilitates genetic variation by combining genes from two organisms. 

However, acceptance of evolution in the United States has been a contentious topic. 

‍A poll conducted by Pew Research Center on public perception of evolution in the United States found that six-in-ten Americans report that “humans and other living things have evolved over time,” while a third report that “humans and other living things have existed in their present form since the beginning of time.”

Given the significance of evolution to the natural sciences, The Northern Light interviewed the UAA community about their opinion on the matter.

The Northern Light approached computer science major Isaac Vinson at Rasmuson Hall for an interview.

Vinson said, “I do believe that a lot of species probably died off, that people might not want to believe in, like giant people or dragons or whatever like, that would be hard to recover from a fossil perspective, but yeah, I do believe that there is an evolution to our species.”

“Now, whether God made the big bang or whatever, I think that is true,” said Vinson.

Shayde Dubey, another computer science major, also shared his opinion with The Northern Light.

Dubey said, “My personal philosophy is like, we can't all be an expert on everything, so I think — as much as a lot of people don't like it — we have to have some faith in other people, and I think, who is it uh, Isaac Newton, who said, 'I'm only great because I stand on the shoulders of giants,’”

“I’m learning computer science, but I don't know a lot about evolution, but I just trust the experts that evolution is a thing because I don't have all the time in the world to do all the research, so I kind of just have to give almost, like, faith in higher education of it,” said Dubey.

Graduate psychology student Caleb Gorda, said, “Do I believe in evolution? Yes.”

When asked why he believes in the evolution of species, Gorda said, “There's a lot of evidence for it.”

“You can see like the remnants of virus DNA that has been left in our genes for millennia,” he said. “We've literally watched evolution happen to other species — we can cause bacteria to evolve.”

Other students also shared their views but decided not to share their names, as they felt they would be targeted for their opinions.

Public acceptance of evolution has increased in recent years from 40% to 54%, according to a study conducted at the University of Michigan. 

Perceptions of this topic at UAA will likely continue to evolve, much like the evolution of species.