Darwin's paradox
The term Darwinian paradox (English: Darwin's paradox ) is used in various contexts to describe real or supposed contradictions in the theory of evolution founded by Charles Darwin .
evolution
Darwin himself was astonished at the extreme biodiversity he observed during the trip on the Beagle in the tropical seas, the nutrient content of which is relatively low. Over 100,000 different species can be found in coral reefs ; the concentration of plankton and dissolved nutrients, on the other hand, is very low. This contradiction is referred to in science as the Darwinian paradox . Marine biologists are pursuing various theories to resolve it.
But diseases are also being studied by researchers to find possible advantages that neutralize their disadvantages. Schizophrenia is an example . It appears to be a disadvantage (like many diseases), but after studies researchers found that people with schizophrenia are more creative and more successful in finding a partner. Thus, there is no disadvantage, but something "non-harmful", whereby this disease can exist in evolution .
Creationism
In the current political discussion, creationists use the term Darwinian paradox polemically to describe various phenomena that, in their view, represent contradictions to the theory of evolution. According to creationists, Darwin's theory claims that properties of species can only survive evolution if they provide measurable benefit . Neutral or disadvantageous properties should be suppressed. The existence of genetic predispositions that are obviously detrimental to the reproduction of the individual, such as the predisposition to diseases or homosexuality , therefore refutes the theory of evolution. There are also numerous examples of properties that bring neither advantages nor disadvantages for the individual and the species and yet are retained, such as the appendix or the earlobes.
Biologists argue that the molecular biological representation of the phenotype is extremely complex. Genes for negative traits can be linked to genes that increase resistance or fertility (e.g. female relatives of homosexual men have an above-average number of offspring; the carriers of the hereditary blood disease sickle cell anemia are protected against malaria ). Numerous properties come about through the interplay of numerous individual genes.