I prefer the dratini->gyrados / magikarp->dragonite pipeline theory, myself, but I can gestate with this caterpie branch. The venonat->butterfree coloring and eyes do seem too coincidental. Maybe the artists that worked on each one had their favorite colors, so pokemon they did all ended up schemed similarly?
https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=0CFuCYNx-1g
Can you imagine knowing that people refuse to help you because they think ghosts are real? Dying of preventable causes because some idiot was told something invisible existed?
MedicineAid right at your fingertips from qualified professionals but quasi-religion ensured it didn’t happen?