Intelligent Design Investigation

Possible Explanations

Biological Innovation and Evolutionary Mechanisms  •  5 possible explanations
A Visit With Jesus

This investigation considers 5 possible explanations for the evidence under review. Select an explanation for a closer look at the proposal, the evidence offered in its support, its limitations, unresolved questions, and the Intelligent Design response.

Explanations Considered

Natural Processes

Known Evolutionary Mechanisms

Biological populations change through observable processes including mutation, natural selection, genetic drift, recombination, gene duplication, and changes in gene regulation.
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Modification

Modification of Existing Biological Systems

Evolutionary innovation frequently involves modification, duplication, redeployment, or altered regulation of biological components that already exist.
Examine this explanation  
Evolutionary Innovation

The Origin of Biological Novelty

Biological novelty can refer to several different things, including a new gene, a new molecular function, a new phenotype, a new anatomical feature, or a new form of biological organization.
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Historical Explanation

From Observed Change to Major Innovation

Evolutionary biology connects directly observed mechanisms with historical evidence to reconstruct biological changes that occurred long before they could be experimentally observed.
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Design

Intelligent Design and the Limits Question

Intelligent Design accepts that evolutionary mechanisms can produce biological change while asking whether those mechanisms adequately explain particular major innovations and integrated systems.
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  These explanations are presented for comparison. Each detail page distinguishes the proposal itself from supporting evidence, limitations, unresolved questions, and the Intelligent Design response.