The Edge of Evolution: The Search for the Limits of Darwinism

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Now, in his long-awaited follow-up, Behe presents far more than a challenge to Darwinism: He presents the evidence of the genetics revolution -- the first direct evidence of nature's mutational pathways -- to radically redefine the debate about Darwinism.

How much of life does Darwin's theory explain? Most scientists believe it accounts for everything from the machinery of the cell to the history of life on earth. Darwin's ideas have been applied to law, culture, and politics.

But Darwin's theory has been proven only in one sense: There is little question that all species on earth descended from a common ancestor. Overwhelming anatomical, genetic, and fossil evidence exists for that claim. But the crucial question remains: How did it happen? Darwin's proposed mechanism -- random mutation and natural selection -- has been accepted largely as a matter of faith and deduction or, at best, circumstantial evidence. Only now, thanks to genetics, does science allow us to seek direct evidence. The genomes of many organisms have been sequenced, and the machinery of the cell has been analyzed in great detail. The evolutionary responses of microorganisms to antibiotics and humans to parasitic infections have been traced over tens of thousands of generations.

As a result, for the first time in history Darwin's theory can be rigorously evaluated. The results are shocking. Although it can explain marginal changes in evolutionary history, random mutation and natural selection explain very little of the basic machinery of life. The "edge" of evolution, a line that defines the border between random and nonrandom mutation, lies very far from where Darwin pointed. Behe argues convincingly that most of the mutations that have defined the history of life on earth have been nonrandom.

Although it will be controversial and stunning, this finding actually fits a general pattern discovered by other branches of science in recent decades: The universe as a whole was fine-tuned for life. From physics to cosmology to chemistry to biology, life on earth stands revealed as depending upon an endless series of unlikely events. The clear conclusion: The universe was designed for life.

What Customers Say About The Edge of Evolution: The Search for the Limits of Darwinism:

I listened to the audio version of this book and enjoyed it very much. Behe takes some complex arguments and breaks them down so that even if I only got 60 to 70% comprehension of a particular one, it would make sense to me. And because there is a general theme in his arguments, cumulatively I garnered a pretty clear understanding of his general argument for the Edge of Evolution. As for those that disagree with Behe and are still stuck on Darwinian Evolution, every few years there is more biological, cosmological,and archaeological evidence for Design and less for random mutations etc.

Clearly explains what random mutation and natural selection can and cannot accomplish. Behe uses his deep knowledge of biochemistry to make a strong case that Darwinism cannot explain the history of life on earth. Heavily referenced, carefully argued, well explained.

This is not a religious argument in any way. Michael Behe has a way of making difficult concepts easily understood even by non-biology majors. He makes a solid but very interesting argument addressing the difficulty of Darwinian evolution to account for all (or even a small fraction) of the changes necessary to move from simple to complex life. His hope is that his colleagues will end their insistence on what has become a very unlikely scenario for explaining the complexity of life in order to pursue more fruitful theories. Even aside from the evolutionary implications, the book is a fascinating read for it's very accessible discussion of how and why proteins assemble to make more complex structures, and why certain diseases like malaria are so difficult to eradicate through evolution or otherwise.

Who knew evolution was on such shaky ground. Why are these clearly expressed and logical ideas not mentioned during the teaching of evolution in class rooms. A great book for those interested in the truth wherever it leads. A great follow up to Darwin's Black Box.

Both Behe and I agree with "common descent," but both of us disagree that random mutation can explain all we see in evolution. This is a must read for all dyed-in-the-wool Darwinians, of which I am one. After reading this book, I can honestly say that the dye is beginning to fade. My background is a biology/chemistry major with an advanced degree. My favorite author has always been Stephen Jay Gould, but Michael Behe raises some very thought-provoking questions.