Hi Beaglelady,
You asked: “What is the evidence for evolution?” In order to answer your question, it is necessary to disentangle two completely different types of change: Variation and Innovation. In current evolutionary theory these two types of change are confused with each other, resulting in the 7 key problems mentioned below.
Key Problems in the theory of evolution
(1) Two completely different types of change (variation and innovation) are confused
The theory of evolution in its current form confuses two totally different kinds of change: variation and innovation.
Variation = the change of a (biological) system in its parameters, mathematically represented as (a1, a2) → (b1, b2).
Innovation = the change of a (biological) system in its dimensions, mathematically represented as: (a1, a2) → (b1, b2, b3).
The mathematical representation of variation and innovation shows that billions variations of a (biological) system for billions of years, can not lead to the innovation of that system.
(2) Two completely different mechanisms of change are confused
The mechanism in living nature for the realization of variations (= the variation-motor) consists of: gene regulation and recombination of gene variants and selection; see: http://benthamopen.com/contents/pdf/TOEVOLJ/TOEVOLJ-5-1.pdf . By these mechanisms the length of the DNA does not increase, and the mutation repair mechanisms that are present in every cell do not need to come in action. By the variation motor living nature constantly adapts to changing circumstances. An example of the results of variation motor is the change of the beaks of finches.
The presumed mechanism for the creation of innovations (= the innovation motor) consists of the accumulation of non-repairable, heritable, instantly advantageous, code-expanding mutations.
In science, a theory where two completely different mechanisms play a role, will be formulated more accurately sooner or later by distinguishing these different mechanisms and the associated empirical phenomena. This will also happen to the theory of evolution.
(3) Changes in the DNA cause cancer and genetic diseases, not continual improvement
Cancer research proves unambiguously that mutations of the DNA cause genetic diseases and cancer. Cancer research also proves that cancer is a severe disadvantage in the struggle for life. In every cell, every day hundreds of thousands of mutations of the DNA occur, which are fortunately largely repaired by mutation repair mechanisms, for the discovery of which the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded in 2015. In addition, the passing of code expanding mutations to the offspring is counteracted by sexual reproduction.
A population with dysfunctional mutation repair accumulates in its gene pool the material with which, in theory, new functionalities might arise after about 1000 generations. But the population will get extinct within a few generations, because it will lose the struggle for survival with a population that posesses well functioning mutation protection. As a consequence the theoretical future innovations of the DNA disappear within a few generations. Therefore, the innovation engine can only function in theory; not in reality.
(4) The empirical evidence for evolution by the variation engine are used as proof for the functioning of the innovation engine.
Evolution exists, as living nature constantly adapts to changing circumstances, by the variation motor. However, the empirical evidence of the variation motor (for example, the change in the beaks of finches or the changes in the appearance of horses, dogs or bats) is unjustly used as evidence that the innovation motor can function. All empirical data on (code expanding) non-repairable mutations show that they lead to cancer and hereditary diseases and severe selective disadvantage. The innovation motor therefore operates only in theory. This is reflected by the fossils archive in which intermediate forms are missing. All fossils look like the organisms look today, with the same variations in appearance as today (large horses, small horses; large beaks, small beak; etc). Also ‘living fossils’ that have not changed in hundreds of millions of years, show that the innovation motor does not work.
(5) Natural processes are processes of decay and cannot innovate.
Natural processes (e.g. caused by: solar radiation, lightning, radiation from space, meteorites, rain, wind) are processes of decay that will disintegrate eventually any complex structure. Natural processes can vary the parameters of a system, but cannot innovate a system and expand the information content and energy content of a system. If this would be really possible, then energy would become available for free and the chemical industry would have to close down.
6. An alchemistic view of matter lays at the basis of the theory of evolution
The current theory of evolution assumes that (organic) molecules possess an intrinsic desire to organize themselves to increasingly complex structures, and that gain in complexity is a natural process. This alchemistic view of matter is diametrically opposed to the fundamental properties of our reality and the physical laws that describe this reality. In matter no hidden power is present, and every complex structure of matter decays sooner or later by natural processes into the smallest possible units and towards the lowest possible energy level. Any difference in elasticity, potential, temperature, concentration, density, energy, pressure, tension, will equalize sooner or later by natural processes, according to the natural laws for elasticity, potential, temperature, concentration, density, energy, pressure, stress.
7. The theory of evolution can not explain the existence of mutation repair mechanisms.
In 2015 the Nobel Prize for chemistry was awarded to the discoverers of the mutation repair mechanisms that repair the hundreds of thousands of mutations of DNA that occur daily in every cell. An important part of these mutations is caused by ‘oxidative deamination’, which makes the letters of the genetic code to be unreadable, such as the letters on a receipt gradually become unreadable by the oxidation of the ink. Fortunately, the rubbing out of the genetic code is actively repaired by detection of the damaged letter and subsequently repaired using the backup information on the other DNA strand. The repair of oxidative deamination cannot be explained by the theory of evolution because Logic prevents mutations to produce mutations repair (a process that accomplishes M cannot not simultaneously produce Conversely-M). Also according to the laws of chemistry, it is impossible that mutations can bring about mutation repair because oxidation can not produce reduction. On the question how the mutation repair mechanisms have originated, scientists must answer: “We do not know (yet).” Such an answer is perfectly normal and accepted in every branch of science, and is the driving force for any scientific research. This answer is not a “science stopper” but a "science driver.
Secondary problems.
For 12 secondary problems in current evolutionary theory, see:
http://www.evoskepsis.nl/english/problems.html