MATCH

MATCH (Mutations And The Creationist Hypothesis) is an independent, collaborative, and peer-reviewed creationist project that aims to examine the current mainstream creation science understanding of mutations and determine if it needs to be revised. MATCH will be using the CreationWiki encyclopedia as its medium to allow maximum peer-review throughout all creationist worldviews.

Phase One
Phase one will involve the development of the project structure and goals.

Current Progress

 * MATCH is currently conducting research to develop its introductory statement and project justification.
 * MATCH is currently accepting new project members at all levels.

Format and structure
The format for the MATCH project, is subject to the approval of CreationWiki administrators.

Collaboration:
 * The MATCH Yahoo Group will be used for project collaborations and discussions that are not related directly to the project content.
 * | The MATCH talk page will be used primarily for peer-review, questions and concerns, and for users who are not yet a member of the yahoo group.

Construction:
 * At this point construction format is still being determined. However journal research can be started.

Project definitions
It is well known that definitions will vary for certain terms depending on the source of the definition. Thus, we will define definitions for the project to avoid confusion.
 * abiogenesis - reproducing organisms emerging from non-living chemicals.
 * adaptation - specialized survival applications, usually environmentally triggered to better suit that organism. Adaptation is not referring to natural selection of favoured traits.
 * baraminology - baraminology is the study of originally created kinds.
 * common descent - the theory that all organisms share a common ancestor which is ultimately single-celled. While creatures can and do share common ancestors, we are referring here to the general theory stated previously.
 * evolution - the philosophical structure that purports to explain change in organisms over time. Creationists often use "evolution" as a general term referring to the many theories that are tied into evolution such as common descent and abiogenesis. Creationists believe that change occurs, but they deny evolutionary theory based on its philosophical underpinnings, its scientific merit, its moral consequences, or some combination of those. When we refer to the term "evolution" in this project, we are referring to biological evolution, in which simply represents the change in organisms over time.
 * macro-evolution - we will refrain from using this term, as there is no absolute line which constitutes the level of "evolution" that constitutes "macro" status.
 * micro-evolution - changes within a kind. Evidence is testable and shapes the creationist understanding of God's original created kinds. For example, if evidence could be shown or observed that scales have evolved into feathers, then creationists would have to accept this as micro-evolution and within the limits of transformation of God's original created kinds. Thus said, micro evolution also lacks an absolute status as we define it only if it fits our view of evidence. We will refrain from using this term as well.
 * mutation - a change in genetic makeup of an organism's genome or that of a virus which is more or less permanant, and can be transmitted through generations.
 * speciation - change in genetic relationships between parent species and the more geographically isolated child species in which new species are eventually introduced through enough genetic difference. Different species under classification does not mean different kinds as would be studied in baraminology.

Goals

 * 1) To define leading evolutionists terms regarding new information and determine if the creationist argument, that mutations can not create "new" information, is valid.
 * 2) To solidify a majority consensus on the creationist position towards genetic transformation.
 * 3) To examine the evolutionist mutation model.
 * 4) To provide a complete examination of all evolutionist arguments and references that use mutations as the driving force.
 * 5) See if the change is indeed truly evolutionary or merely small scale change or essentially adaptation.
 * 6) Recognize and expose the hidden implications of either philosophical conclusions or assumptions.
 * 7) Recognize true scientific observation of what actually happened.

Phase Two
Phase two will involve the implementation of the project structure.

Project members and project roles
The following is a list of all the creationists who will be providing the research and work for the project. Please add your name to the list if you wish to take part. Deadline for administrators was Dec. 31st, 2007.

Administrators

 * Tyler Demerchant - MATCH project director
 * Nathan Lawrence- Literature and journal surveyor
 * Tony Sommer- Peer-review journal researcher, Computer Science

Contributors

 * Dr. Jerry Bergman - PhD in Biology and member of GENE, content contributor and peer review
 * Johnson C. Philip- Physicist, will offer peer review
 * Amanda Morris
 * Nathan Lawrence

Roles
Computer Science and Modeling:
 * Tony Sommer

Journal Reviewer and Researcher:
 * Tyler Demerchant - RNAse research
 * Tony Sommer
 * Nathan Lawrence

Peer-review:
 * Dr. Jerry Bergman
 * Dr. Johnson C. Philip
 * Amanda Morris

MATCH Project Articles

 * MATCH: Mutations And The Creationist Hypothesis [this page]
 * MATCH: Can mutations add "new" genetic information?
 * MATCH: The creationist and evolutionist mutation models compared