Mutations And The Creationist Hypothesis

This article is a part of the MATCH project.

Mutations and The Creationist Hypothesis

The effects of mutations on the genetic information in organisms has for a long time been the subject of much debate in scientific communities. With an ever growing scientific knowledge of genetics and the hereditary mechanisms involved, creation scientists have often conducted research and written articles regarding the effects of mutations , as well as other mechanisms such as genetic recombination and translocations.

An attempt has been made to show that random chance mutations are not a viable mechanism for the vast morphological change required for a molecule-to-man evolution. This is because of the limitations of mutations that can account for successful variation. However, most of the work done by these creation scientists has often been passed over as flawed and the claim is often made that they are ignoring true scientific evidence because they see a limit to evolutionary change.

Most of the controversy seen in creationist circles is due to differing opinions, as well as differing definitions. However, most key points that creationists have made regarding mutations are shared almost unanimously.

Opinions

Through research and survey, it is clear that there are a wide variety of opinions regarding the effects and possibilities of mutations on the genome in the creation science community, as well as the mainstream and evolutionist science communities.

While creationists often see mutations as playing a minor role in the adaptation and micro-evolution of organisms, evolutionists, especially those holding to Neo-Darwinian theory, claim that mutations are an important part of the evolutionary process. However, even evolutionists seem to disagree in regards to the role that mutations might play in the transformation and development of organisms.

Quotes regarding mutations

Scientists have often voiced their opinions about mutations and the effects that they have on genetic diversity through discussions, technical papers, and media outlets. By examining the comments made by individuals who have associated themselves with biological sciences, scientist or not, one can easily see the differing opinions and viewpoints that are expressed regarding mutations.

Creationists: Are mutations a viable mechanism for progressive genetic change?
Quote	Source	Yes/No
In brief, the proteins that make up living systems require such a precise level of specification to be functional that a search based on random mutation can never succeed.	Dr. John Baumgardner - March 2008 Acts and Facts	No

Do mutations add "new" information to the genome in a hereditary fashion? *new is defined as information that was not present inside the organism before the mutation. For example: AA + BB = BC?
Organization	Answer	Comments
Creation Ministries International	Never or extremely rare	Not impossible, but if it does occur, it is extremely rare and far to much so to be of any use to the Neo-Darwinian mechanism. CMI has stated that there are instances that deserve some credability. http://www.creationontheweb.com/nylon
CreationTalk	100% - Never or Extremely Rare	8 members of the CreationTalk creationist cummunity talk group have so far voted.

Statements made by scientists who are not Creationists.
Source	Quote	Mutations as the driving force for evolution?
BOUNDARIES TO VARIATION, W. BRAUN, BACTERIAL GENETICS	"...that is the potential mutations of a given biotype are normally limited, else we should have been able to observe drastic evolutionary changes in laboratory studies with bacteria. Despite the rapid rate of propagation and the enormous size of attainable populations, changes within initially homogeneous bacterial populations apparently do not progress beyond certain boundaries under experimental conditions."	No
MUTATIONS IRREVELANT, STEPHEN J. GOULD, Harvard, Lecture at Hobart and William Smith College, 14/2/1980.	"A mutation doesn't produce major new raw material. You don't make a new species by mutating the species. ....That's a common idea people have; that evolution is due to random mutations. A mutation is NOT the cause of evolutionary change."	No
Lynn Margulis, as quoted by Charles Mann, “Lynn Margulis: Science’s Unruly Earth Mother,” Science, Vol. 252, 19 April 1991, p. 379.	"I have seen no evidence whatsoever that these [evolutionary] changes can occur through the accumulation of gradual mutations."	No
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_evolution	Mutations are considered the driving force of evolution, where less favorable (or deleterious) mutations are removed from the gene pool by natural selection, while more favorable (or beneficial) ones tend to accumulate. Neutral mutations do not affect the organism's chances of survival in its natural environment and can accumulate over time, which might result in what is known as punctuated equilibrium; the modern interpretation of classic evolutionary theory.	Yes