Why is Common Descent Considered a Scientific Theory

Question

Why is common descent considered a scientific theory?
A) There is overwhelming evidence to support it from many areas of biology.
B) Scientists are reasonably sure it's true, but there's little evidence to support it.
C) It's an idea from more than 100 years ago and thus is not a modern idea.
D) It's the only idea about life on Earth that can be tested by observation of the material universe.

Accepted Answer

Common descent is considered a scientific theory because there is overwhelming evidence to support it from many areas of biology. This evidence includes similarities in DNA and protein sequences, anatomical structures, and developmental patterns among different species, as well as the presence of transitional fossils that show how certain species evolved over time. Scientific theories are based on extensive and consistent experimental evidence and are generally accepted as trustworthy explanations of natural phenomena. Common descent fits this criteria, making it a widely accepted scientific theory in the field of biology.