Evolution Isn’t Random?
“Challenges Decades of Scientific Understanding”
One of the hallmarks of evolutionary thought is that evolution is the result of random, chance processes. But a new study, referred to by the popular press as a “landmark discovery,” challenges “decades of scientific understanding” by suggesting that maybe evolution isn’t as random as was thought. So get ready for the details of this latest installment of “Everything we previously thought about evolution is wrong” (yes, this happens a lot!).
The researchers analyzed the pangenome (defined as “a complete set of genes within a species”) of 2,500 bacteria, all belonging to the same species. Within that pangenome, they identified gene families and then compared those families. And what they discovered is “nothing short of revolutionary.”
“We found that some gene families never turned up in a genome when a particular other gene family was already there, and on other occasions, some genes were very much dependent on a different gene family being present.”
The researchers have essentially discovered an invisible ecosystem where genes can cooperate or can be in conflict with one another.
“These interactions between genes make aspects of evolution somewhat predictable and furthermore, we now have a tool that allows us to make those predictions,” said Dr. Domingo-Sananes.
“From this work, we can begin to explore which genes ‘support’ an antibiotic resistance gene, for example. Therefore, if we are trying to eliminate antibiotic resistance, we can target not just the focal gene, but we can also target its supporting genes,” said Dr. Beavan.
“We can use this approach to synthesize new kinds of genetic constructs that could be used to develop new drugs or vaccines. Knowing what we now know has opened the door to a whole host of other discoveries.”
Now, you may notice that the researchers didn’t actually uncover anything about molecules-to-man evolution. They did good observational science, comparing genes and gene families across bacteria—genes that already exist. They didn’t make some startling discovery about how bacteria acquire brand-new functional genes (information) for new forms or features, something that is required for evolution to occur and has never been observed. What they peered into was the intricacies of DNA! They’re simply taking a closer look at God’s incredible handiwork.
And this new research may lead to discoveries in “medicine, synthetic biology, and environmental science.” It’s worth noting that the applications of this research don’t really have anything to do with supposed evolution but rather deal primarily with observational science (science that’s testable, repeatable, and observable).
So despite the headlines, this study doesn’t have anything to do with unobserved evolution but has everything to do with God’s design in even the smallest of his creations.
by Ken Ham on January 29, 2024
Featured in Ken Ham Blog
Scientists are now discovering what God already new from the very beginning in science. Why am I not surprised?
One of the hallmarks of evolutionary thought is that evolution is the result of random, chance processes. But a new study, referred to by the popular press as a “landmark discovery,” challenges “decades of scientific understanding” by suggesting that maybe evolution isn’t as random as was thought. So get ready for the details of this latest installment of “Everything we previously thought about evolution is wrong” (yes, this happens a lot!).
The researchers analyzed the pangenome (defined as “a complete set of genes within a species”) of 2,500 bacteria, all belonging to the same species. Within that pangenome, they identified gene families and then compared those families. And what they discovered is “nothing short of revolutionary.”
“We found that some gene families never turned up in a genome when a particular other gene family was already there, and on other occasions, some genes were very much dependent on a different gene family being present.”
The researchers have essentially discovered an invisible ecosystem where genes can cooperate or can be in conflict with one another.
“These interactions between genes make aspects of evolution somewhat predictable and furthermore, we now have a tool that allows us to make those predictions,” said Dr. Domingo-Sananes.
“From this work, we can begin to explore which genes ‘support’ an antibiotic resistance gene, for example. Therefore, if we are trying to eliminate antibiotic resistance, we can target not just the focal gene, but we can also target its supporting genes,” said Dr. Beavan.
“We can use this approach to synthesize new kinds of genetic constructs that could be used to develop new drugs or vaccines. Knowing what we now know has opened the door to a whole host of other discoveries.”
Now, you may notice that the researchers didn’t actually uncover anything about molecules-to-man evolution. They did good observational science, comparing genes and gene families across bacteria—genes that already exist. They didn’t make some startling discovery about how bacteria acquire brand-new functional genes (information) for new forms or features, something that is required for evolution to occur and has never been observed. What they peered into was the intricacies of DNA! They’re simply taking a closer look at God’s incredible handiwork.
And this new research may lead to discoveries in “medicine, synthetic biology, and environmental science.” It’s worth noting that the applications of this research don’t really have anything to do with supposed evolution but rather deal primarily with observational science (science that’s testable, repeatable, and observable).
So despite the headlines, this study doesn’t have anything to do with unobserved evolution but has everything to do with God’s design in even the smallest of his creations.
by Ken Ham on January 29, 2024
Featured in Ken Ham Blog
Scientists are now discovering what God already new from the very beginning in science. Why am I not surprised?
61-69, M
