the Evolutionary Synthesis (movement)

The Evolutionary Synthesis was a scientific movement in the early 20th century that unified Darwin’s theory of natural selection with genetics discovered through DNA research. It explained how species evolve through small genetic changes, passed down over generations, leading to adaptation and diversity. This framework integrated biology, genetics, and fossil evidence, providing a comprehensive understanding of evolution as a gradual, interconnected process. It shifted the view from species fixed at creation to dynamic, ever-changing populations shaped by environmental pressures, forming the foundation of modern evolutionary biology.