Abiogenesis experiments produce toxins such as cyanide and formaldehyde (Talk.Origins)

Response ArticleThis article (Abiogenesis experiments produce toxins such as cyanide and formaldehyde (Talk.Origins)) is a response to a rebuttal of a creationist claim published by Talk.Origins Archive under the title Index to Creationist Claims.

Index

Claim CB026:

Miller-Urey type experiments produce toxic chemicals, such as cyanide and formaldehyde, but not amino acids.

Source: Discovery Institute. 2003. A preliminary analysis of the treatment of evolution in biology textbooks currently being considered for adoption by the Texas State Board of Education., p. 5.

CreationWiki response:

(Talk.Origins quotes in blue)

1. Cyanide and formaldehyde are necessary building blocks for important biochemical compounds, including amino acids). They are not toxins in this context.
2. Miller-Urey experiments produce amino acids among other chemical compounds.

In their statement of the claim as quoted above Talk Origins is misrepresenting what the source said.

A more accurate statement of the claim would be:

When conducted with realistic gas mixtures, Miller-Urey type experiments produce toxic chemicals, such as cyanide and formaldehyde, but not amino acids.

Talk Origins is using a Straw man argument.