Modern Synthetic Theory of Evolution Myth, The

To the question of "What is the source of the beneficial changes that cause living things to develop?" scientists meeting at the American Geological Association gave the answer, "Random mutations." Darwin had given the same answer by adopting the concept of mutation, based on Lamarck. But with adding the concept of mutation to Darwin's natural selection, the new theory that emerged was given the name of the Modern Synthetic Theory of Evolution.

This new theory soon became known as neo-Darwinism and its proponents as neo-Darwinists. (See The Neo-Darwinism Comedy.)