The Myth of Junk DNA
Last week, browsing through books at The Book Depository, I found The Myth of Junk DNA by Jonathan Wells (due for release 31 May 2011). Junk DNA is a subject that truly fascinates me. I looked around for a book review and found an interview with author Jonathan Wells. Before you buy the book read the interview.
It seems to me whenever there are differences of opinion between scientists regarding genetics and evolution it prompts Intelligent Design-ers to come out of the woodwork, often with book in hand, claiming evolution has been discredited and creationism has been vindicated. What is it with these guys? Don't they understand this is how scientific investigation works? Unfathomable mysteries, constant searching and questioning, new discoveries, changes of direction and heated debates are all part of the process!
So-called "junk DNA" is non-coding DNA. It is called "junk" because some scientists deemed it to be extraneous or superfluous. The discussion about non-coding DNA has been going on for decades, and will likely continue for decades. Professor John Mattick of the University of Queensland said at the International Genetics Congress in Melbourne in 2003: "...junk DNA is another level of genetic programming, an unsuspected level of genetic programming...the reason why humans and other complex organisms have so much non-coding DNA is because they need so much more information to program the assembly of the components, which are encoded by conventional genes to create something like you or me...".
Intelligent Design-ers and Flat Earth-ers can have nothing worthwhile to contribute to the debate. It is laughable that people once used to think the world was created in 4004 BC. Is there anyone out there who seriously believes the world was created just 6000 years ago? Does Jonathan Wells believe this? Does he also believe the Earth is flat and at the center of the universe? Or that the sun revolves around the Earth? Or that the human body is a miraculous, perfect and complete creation? Life on Earth is a "product of asymmetries, imperfections and accidents". There is no plan or design. And why should we expect there to be?
Footnote: Junk DNA might even conceal alien messages.
It seems to me whenever there are differences of opinion between scientists regarding genetics and evolution it prompts Intelligent Design-ers to come out of the woodwork, often with book in hand, claiming evolution has been discredited and creationism has been vindicated. What is it with these guys? Don't they understand this is how scientific investigation works? Unfathomable mysteries, constant searching and questioning, new discoveries, changes of direction and heated debates are all part of the process!
So-called "junk DNA" is non-coding DNA. It is called "junk" because some scientists deemed it to be extraneous or superfluous. The discussion about non-coding DNA has been going on for decades, and will likely continue for decades. Professor John Mattick of the University of Queensland said at the International Genetics Congress in Melbourne in 2003: "...junk DNA is another level of genetic programming, an unsuspected level of genetic programming...the reason why humans and other complex organisms have so much non-coding DNA is because they need so much more information to program the assembly of the components, which are encoded by conventional genes to create something like you or me...".
Intelligent Design-ers and Flat Earth-ers can have nothing worthwhile to contribute to the debate. It is laughable that people once used to think the world was created in 4004 BC. Is there anyone out there who seriously believes the world was created just 6000 years ago? Does Jonathan Wells believe this? Does he also believe the Earth is flat and at the center of the universe? Or that the sun revolves around the Earth? Or that the human body is a miraculous, perfect and complete creation? Life on Earth is a "product of asymmetries, imperfections and accidents". There is no plan or design. And why should we expect there to be?
Footnote: Junk DNA might even conceal alien messages.
posted by Robert Charroux at
2:10 PM
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