genesis 1:26

©2004 Timothy G. Standish

Genesis 1:26

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.


Genetics, Faith Genetics, Faith and Theoryand Theory

Timothy G. Standish, Ph. D.


What is Science?What is Science?

The whole of science is nothing more than the refinement of everyday thinking.

Albert Einstein


What is Science?What is Science?“Sci” = Knowledge “ence” = The

condition ofExplanation of natural phenomena

through observation and experimentationA method of gaining knowledge (the

scientific method)


The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method The Scientific method relies on two types of reasoning: Inductive reasoning - Drawing generalized conclusions

from data. This type of reasoning is used when coming up with a theory

Deductive reasoning - Elimination of possibilities until only one or a very few remain. Hypotheses are testable statements that must be true if a theory is true, thus if the hypothesis is not true, the theory can be deducted from the set of possible theories.

DataHypothesis

Theory

Pass

Beliefs

Indu

ction

Fail

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

Deduction

Test(Experiment)


Err

orE

rror

Data

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific MethodDoes Not Always Provide Does Not Always Provide

Definitive AnswersDefinitive Answers

Truth

TimeTime

PresentScience

OldTheory


Sperm

A Recent Example of ReevaluationA Recent Example of Reevaluation

Egg

AcrosomeNucleus

Middle piece

Mitochondria

Nucleus


Sperm


Egg

Nucleus



Egg

Nucleus

No sperm mitochondria appear to enter the egg, thus no sperm mtDNA enters the egg, thus only the mother provides mtDNA to her offspring.


A Recent Example of ReevaluationA Recent Example of Reevaluation Awadalla et al. have shown evidence of genetic

recombination in human and chimpanzee mitochondria This seems to indicate that paternal (sperm) mtDNA must

somehow get in and recombine with maternal (egg) mtDNA

“There is a cottage industry of making gene trees in anthropology and then interpreting them. This paper will invalidate most of that.” (H. Harpending, a U. of Utah anthropologist)


Understanding ScienceUnderstanding Science Scientists must understand the difference

between facts (data) and interpretation (theory) Fact – 99 % of the proteins produced by humans

appear to be about the same as those found in mice

Interpretation 1 - Mice and humans share a common ancestor

Interpretation 2 - Mice and humans share a common Designer

Most data are open to multiple interpretations Theory ≠ Fact


Data, Then TheoryData, Then Theory

“It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to fit facts”

Sherlock Holmes


Ockham’s Razor:Ockham’s Razor:The law of economy or parsimonyThe law of economy or parsimony

Data commonly suggests a number of different theories, some of which are more complicated than others

Scientists generally choose the most simple theory or explanation of data as the most probably true

This preference for the most simple theory is called Ockham’s Razor, the law of economy or parsimony

William of Ockham was a 14th-century monk who is supposed to have stated “non sunt multiplicanda entia praeter necessitatem” (entities are not to be multiplied beyond necessity)

Others, including Aristotle, invoked this principle before Ockham, but he made remarkably sharp use of the “razor”


Asking The Right QuestionsAsking The Right Questions


ReductionismReductionism Organisms are too complex to study as a whole, so biologists break

them down to determine how their components work. Knowing each part’s workings gives insight on the whole organism.

Understanding the digestive system requires studying the digestive organs. Understanding the esophagus, stomach and intestines helps us understand the system.

Cells, the fundamental units of life, are understood in light of the biochemicals (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates etc.) from which they are made.

Biochemicals are coded for ultimately through DNA


Emergent PropertiesEmergent Properties Biological systems are more than the sum of their parts, the

combination of parts produce “emergent” properties present only because of the combination and not intrinsic to any single part.

A wheel is not a transportation device, neither is a bicycle frame, but put together with a few other parts they become a bicycle.

If made only of contracting ventricles, the heart would not pump blood. Likewise valves alone could not move blood. The combined work of ventricles and valves moves blood through the heart and out to the body.


Biologist’s DilemmaBiologist’s Dilemma Life is too complex to study as a whole, thus

reductionism is needed to simplify biological systems to the point they can be understood

The “simple” components that make up living things have emergent properties present only when they are combined together.

Thus, understanding how the components work does not necessarily tell us how the organism works.


Ernst HaeckelErnst Haeckel One of Darwin’s greatest promoters Like all who do not believe there was a creator,

believed in spontaneous generation.– “The Monera (for instance, chromacea and bacteria),

which consist only of this primitive protoplasm, and which arise by spontaneous generation from these inorganic nitrocarbonates, may thus have entered upon the same course of evolution on many other planets . . .”

– “First simple monera are formed by spontaneous generation, and from these arise unicellular protists . . .”

* Both quotes are from The Riddle of the Universe at the Close of the Nineteenth Century by Haeckel.


Spontaneous GenerationSpontaneous Generation Two reasons Haeckel had faith in spontaneous generation:

– Atheistic beliefs-Discounting the possibility of a Creator– Misunderstanding cell’s complexity-He observed emergent

properties, not the complex parts that combined to produce them. He held to these beliefs despite the work of:

– Francisco Redi (mid 1600s)– Abbe Spallanzani– Theodor Schwann and Franz Schulze (1854)– Louis Pasteur (1861)

All of whom disproved spontaneous generation experimentally


Reductionism AgainReductionism Again Our understanding of cells at the molecular level reveals a

world of complexity unimagined by Haeckel and others of his age.

Cells are not “primitive protoplasm,” but a myriad of complex molecular machines each of which is immensely unlikely to have come about spontaneously.

Haeckel’s naive faith in spontaneous generation now seems laughable in the light of knowledge generated by scientists practicing reductionism.

Board

Behe’s InsightBehe’s Insight When we look at the protein machines that run cells,

there is a point at which no parts can be removed while still having a functioning machine. Michael Behe called these machines “irreducibly complex.”

Natural selection does not provide a plausible mechanism to get from nothing to the collection of parts necessary to run anyone of a number of protein machines needed to have a living cell

SpringHammer

TriggerStaple Cheese

Bait holder


FaithFaithFaith is not inconsistent with science if it exhibits the

following characteristics:– Is not irrational– Is consistent with data, but differs from theory in that it

does not rely on dataFaith in a Creator

– Is defined by revelation not experimentation– Is experienced


Faith and TheoryFaith and Theory Faith in a theory may be exposed as irrational belief if it is

shown to be inconsistent with data. Being inconsistent with a theory does not make faith

irrational. Faith in a flawed theory may lead to further flawed beliefs Flawed beliefs may also result from poor interpretation of

one’s faith or theory Much of the perceived conflict between faith and science

results from confusion about these four points


Haeckel’s FaithHaeckel’s Faith

Haeckel’s belief in spontaneous generation can be traced to:

1Faith in a flawed theory - There is no Creator

2Poor interpretation of the theory of natural selection proposed by Darwin


Christian FaithChristian FaithThe apostle Paul recommended to the

Ephesian Christians:Above all, taking the shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Ephesians 6:16

Faith in a Creator can serve as a powerful shield against misinterpretation of nature.


Science Faith and DataScience Faith and DataChristian scientists must be aware that their

faith colors how they interpret data.They must be on constant guard against

misapplication of faith in a CreatorMisinterpretation of revelation is as easy as

misinterpretation of dataFaith in a Creator must be consistent with data

collected when studying His creation.


GeneticsGenetics Genetics may be the ultimate exercise in reductionism by

biologists. Genes are life’s blueprint. All proteins are defined by

genes, and all other macromolecules are made by proteins. All emergent properties are ultimately defined by genes Faith in the Creator of organisms must be consistent with

what is known about the genes defining plants, animals and microorganisms.


Genetics and the CreatorGenetics and the Creator Genes are at the foundation of evolutionary theory. Genes

define the organism, and thus the variation on which natural selection can work.

Over the next few weeks of FB, think about the following two questions relating to genetics, faith and evolutionary theory:

1 Does evolutionary theory or faith in a Creator allow us to make better predictions about the genetic material?

2 Does the theory of natural selection or faith in a Creator better account for the nature of the genetic code?

genesis 1:26

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