April 1, 2001 | ||
![]() Mapping the Human Genome: Does It Prove Evolution? by Wayne Jackson |
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The headlines virtually shouted the news. “Human Genome Mapped!” The news media had a field day as scientists, in early February, announced they had “cracked the code of the human genome.” Media reports boasted that the mysteries of life were revealed, and the end of disease may be just around the corner. (ge·nome - n.: one The number of chromosomes in a sperm or egg cell, half the paired diploid number.haploid set of Threadlike "packages" of genes and other DNA in the nucleus of a cell. Different kinds of organisms have different numbers of chromosomes. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, 46 in all: 44 autosomes and two sex chromosomes. Each parent contributes one chromosome to each pair, so children get half of their chromosomes from their mothers and half from their fathers.chromosomes with the genes they contain; the full Deoxyribonucleic acid: the chemical inside the nucleus of a cell that carries the genetic instructions for making living organisms.DNA The order of nucleotides in a DNA or RNA molecule, or the order of amino acids in a protein molecule.sequence of an organism.) While geneticists are discovering some remarkable things relative to the intricacies of the human body, they are no nearer, scientifically speaking, to unlocking the mysteries of life — than before they started. Some of the humbler ones readily concede this; others strut about, revealing nothing but how bereft they are of “reasoning” equipment. One gentleman of this latter category is Arthur Caplan, a professor of bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania. In an article that appeared on the MSNBC web site (February 21), Caplan's piece boasted, “Darwin vindicated!” The author subsequently stated:
When I read this ambitious claim, I could hardly wait to carefully examine Caplan's arguments. After all, any one with rudimentary analytical skills knows that a mere assemblage of facts do not a case make. One must examine the known data, and then draw from them such conclusions as are reasonable, cohesively explaining the information at his disposal. Facts lead to hypotheses, which result in theories, which ultimately may establish the verification, or repudiation, of one's assumptions. And so, I waded through Caplan's swaggering article, looking intently for the “proof” of which he boasted. I read and reread the brief essay. What I found was one assertion after another — crude, unblushing assertion, hollow assertions — like this: “The theory of evolution is the only way to explain the arrangement of the 30,000 genes and three billion letters that constitute our genetic code.” Where's the evidence for that statement? It doesn't exist. Does it make more sense to contend that a complicated “code” had a “Coder,” or that the ingeniously complex genetic “blueprint” happened by random chance, arising ultimately from inorganic (absolutely dead) matter? Other scientists are not so smug. In the February 19, 2001 edition of The San Francisco Chronicle, there appeared an article by Tom Abate. Abate recently had traveled to Maryland, where he visited the Celera Genomics headquarters, the scientific institute that broke the genome code and assembled the “map.” Mr. Abate interviewed Gene Myers, the computer scientist who actually put together the genome map. Eventually, during the interview, the conversation turned to question of the possible “origin” of the genetic code. At this point Myers confessed: “We don't understand ourselves yet . . . [t]here's still a metaphysical, magical element.” [Note: Metaphysical means “beyond the physical;” it denotes an area of investigation that has to do with the origins of objects, hence, is outside the legitimate purview of physical science.] But there is more. Myers continued: “What really astounds me is the architecture of life. The system is extremely complex. It's like it was designed” (emp. WJ). Abate was intrigued: “Designed? Doesn't that imply a designer, an intelligence, something more than the fortuitous bumping together of chemicals in the primordial slime?” One must give Mr. Abate credit for a reasonable level of logical acumen. “Design” does demand a designer! [Note: Even skeptics have acknowledged such. In his book, Fundamentals of Critical Thinking (Lexington, MA: Ginn Press, 1986), Paul Ricci has stated that the principle that “‘Everything designed has a designer' is an analytically true statement” (p. 190).] And so, after a thoughtful pause, Myers replied: “There's a huge intelligence there. I don't see that as being unscientific. Others may, but not me” (emp. WJ). The Chronicle reporter mentions that he also recently interviewed Professor Wally Gilbert of Harvard. He inquired of Gilbert whether or not it was feasible to believe that the “code of life” might be the “handiwork of God.” The Harvard professor replied: “Of course one is free to believe that for any little piece of detail, God did it. From the viewpoint of science, we're surrounded by uncertainty. The parts we look at are the parts we don't understand . . . But the scientific belief is that in due course, an explanation will be found.” It certainly is true that an “explanation” will be apparent eventually. But for many — those who have “worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator” (Rom. 1:25) — the “explanation” will be too late! There are several important points to consider in evaluating the current interest regarding the human genome studies.
That is not exactly correct. The truth of the situation is this: “Science has no answer. Theology does!” He who “made all things” is responsible for the intricacy of this system (cf. Jn. 1:3). Yes, it is a fact that “science” can say nothing about origins. Logic, however, forces the thinking person to this conclusion. Every effect must have an adequate cause. And he who “built all things is God” (Heb. 3:4).
In conclusion we must point out that there is nothing in the recent announcement concerning the human genome that should cause the slightest concern for those who revere the sacred Scriptures. In the meantime, we will continue to exclaim: “I will give thanks unto You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and that my soul knows quite well” (Psa. 139:14). |
Copyright © 2001 by Christian Courier from Mapping the Human Genome: Does It Prove Evolution? Used with permission.
Who Was Adam?: A Creation Model Approach to the Origin of Man. Are
humans just advanced apes or have they been specially created in the image of
God? Publications by scientists almost never ask the question, whereas
publications by theists seldom examine the scientific data that relates to the
question. However, two scientists raised in non-Christian homes, Fuz Rana (Ph.D.
in chemistry) and Hugh Ross (Ph.D. in astronomy), have written a new book (Who
Was Adam?: A Creation Model Approach to the Origin of Man) that examines
the question of human origins by comparing biblical and evolutionary models.
http://www.godandscience.org/evolution/humangenome.html
Last Modified June 22, 2001