Creationism and ID

Two posts have scientific blogdom in an uproar. The first by Daniel Engber is called Creationism vs Intelligent Design: Is there a difference? . The short piece argues that there is a difference, mainly because ID only posits that the world is so complicated that it must have been designed. Also, because creationists have "... criticized the Intelligent Design movement for encouraging a loose reading of the Bible. The design theorists respond that ID represents at least the "partial truth" and that it is, at the very least, the best available tool for dislodging what they see as evolutionist dogma." I don't intend to critique the article point by point, I would like to point out the following:

Explainer thanks Tom Willis of The Creation Science Association for Mid-America, William Dembski of the Discovery Institute, and Nick Matzke of the National Center for Science Education.

Clearly we are dealing with someone who knows very little about evolutionary science and should not have been given this question to explain. Since it is rather obvious that he bought the Discovery Institute's party line.

The second What Matters in Kansas: The Evolution of Creationism by William Saletan argues that creationism has evolved since 1925 and makes some seriously stupid analogies to human evolution (That was the early, authoritarian stage of creationism—the equivalent of Australopithecus, the earliest hominid. Umm, no Australopithecus is a genus not a species nor was it the earliest hominid Ardipithecus ramidus, Orronin tugenensis and the 7 million year old Sahelanthropus tchadensis). And Argues that ID is a response, by creationism, to evolution.

The new challenger, ID, differs fundamentally from fundamentalism. Like its creationist forebears, ID is theistic. But unlike them, it abandons Biblical literalism, embraces open-minded inquiry, and accepts falsification, not authority, as the ultimate test.These concessions, sincere or not, define a new species of creationism—Homo sapiens—that fatally undermines its ancestors. Creationists aren't threatening us. They're becoming us.

Saletan is clearly trying to be a clever journalist by trying to point out the irony of creationist evolving. He then compare Kansas 1999 to Kansas 2005. Then comes this:

Perversely, evolutionists refuse to facilitate this collapse. They prefer to dismiss ID proponents as dead-end Neanderthals. They complain, legitimately, that Calvert and Harris are trying to expand the definition of science beyond "natural explanations." But have you read the definition Calvert and Harris propose? It would define science as a continuous process of "observation, hypothesis testing, measurement, experimentation, logical argument and theory building to lead to more adequate explanations of natural phenomena." Abstract creationism can't qualify for such scrutiny. Substantive creationism can't survive it. Or if it can, it should.

I have highlighted the most misleading portion. Apparently Saletan didn't read the standards either or he would have noticed all those sections bashing methodological naturalism. Those sections where the Kansas board redefines science in such away as to allow supernaturalism in science. He then buys into the ID party line about the evil Darwinian Orthodoxy suppressing science in the name of correct bellief.

It's too bad they go around sneering, as censors of science often have, that the new theory is too radical, offensive, or embarrassing to be taken seriously. It's too bad they think good science consists of believing the right things. In the long view—the evolutionary view—good science consists of using evidence and experiment to find out whether what we thought was right is wrong. If they do that in Kansas, by whatever name, that's all that matters.

ID is neither radical (since it goes back several hundred years in time), offensive (except to the intellect - downright insulting to the pursuit of knowledge) or emabarassing. I'm not sure what there is in ID that would cause any embarassment to evolutionary biology - especially when you consider the total lack of research and experimentation brought to the table by ID.

For my money the post that should concern us is Lisa Peters is a Hero posted on Pharyngula. The principal of Pinewood Elementary in Minnesota cancelled the appearance of Lisa Peters - the author of a childrens book on evolution. Scary stuff. I am tempted to write the principal - even though I don't live in Minnesota. Tom the Dancing Bug sums it up best:




So go and read the other articles - especially the Pharyngula post and the cartoon.

Okay I Admit It

I have had writer's block all week. I still have the archaeology post to do which I will get to Saturday. I spent most of the night tonight (well I had to work late and then pick up my wife so I didn't get home till late) trying to come up with some ideas for the Friday Ark. During the search, I also came up with a few good ideas for future posts so hopefully the writers block is over.

Jack Horner and Corporate Sponsorship: How Far is too Far?

This is a good case of "You snooze you lose". I heard the interview was totally appalled. Logged in to blogger (since I had got to work early) got as far as writing the above title and deceided I would wait to werite the post till I got home. Oh, well.

This is a good discussion of the issue. You can also go here to listen to the whole thing.

I will say that I am appalled. You take money and adjust facts on little things - where do you draw the line? I also wonder what kind of flak we are going to have to take from the ID creationists over this? Jack Horner is a putz!

Light Blogging

I must admit, I am feeling a little lazy. I am working on a post for tomorrow on archaeology, and of course I'm wracking my brains for some critters for Friday blogging (between that and work-my department is moving to new quarters so I am about five times as busy as normal coordinating the move- I am wore out).

But let me mention that I am still on the lookout for journals for the Evil Darwinian Orthodoxy. Especially, if the subject area has not yet been included.

Smithsonian Paleo-Art

This is pretty cool! The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has a small website devoted to paleo-art - mainly illustrations created for the Smithsonian. An example is below.

meniscotherium


Note meniscotherium are eocene condylarths .

George Bush and Poison and Cheetahs, Oh My!

Okay, one normal post today, because I couldn't resist. May's National Geographic has a story entitled "Poison: 12 Toxic Tales". In tale twelve we find the following "The Japanese emperor hasn't used a food taster in years, though President George W. Bush has used Navy mess specialists to handle the job.(emphasis mine)" WTF? The President uses food tasters to check his food for poison? Is it me or is this just a little bit paranoid. You'd think they'ed vet the kitchen help...but maybe not.

We also have this statement from a letter to the editor:

"I was shocked to learn only about 5% of cheetah cubs...ever reach adulthood.... I would have expected the world's fastest land mammal to be a champion survivor."

Anybody out there care to tell me what the mistakes in the above quote are? (I'll give my answer tomorrow)

Changes

I have been doing a little work on the blog. First I have changed to afarensis:Anthropology, Evolution and Science. I moved "Proud member of the reality-based community" to a spot under the moonbat. I think the new title is more reflective of my interests. (Note: you may notice that I never capitalize "afarensis" the reason for this is that I am following taxonomic usage. Technically the full name of the species is Australopithecus afarensis. The generic part of the name [Australopithecus] is capitalized. The species designation [afarensis]is not.)
I have also moved the picture of Darwin, the Hisoric Discoveries poster and the periodic table and have created permanent links to them. I have also added permanent links to a post containing a poster of the geological column and a poster of the stratigraphy of Olduvai Gorge. I am also looking for similar posters of some of the other famous hominid fossil sites.
I have also added five links on evolutionary computing the Mike Stiber was kind enough to send me (THANKS!). Any and all suggestions for the Evil Darwinian Orthodoxy will be appreciated.
Finally, I have tracked down web pages for 5-6 journals already in the Orthodoxy. Normal blogging will resume tomorrow.

Geological Timescales

Geological Timescale 
The Geological Column


Olduvai Gorge 
Olduvai Gorge

Periodic Table of Elements

Darwin and Historic Discoveries

Darwin Gets Unorthodox!

Black Widow Update

About a month ago I did a post on the Brown Recluse and the Black Widow. I have discovered an interesting article on widow spiders so I am publishing a link to it for those who are interested.

It is in Science in Africa a great online magazine.

The Button Spiders of Southern Africa .

Idle Thoughts II: or Ooops I published that last post too soon!

As I have mentioned in several previous posts I am on the look out for more journals for the Evil Darwinian Orthodoxy. It occurs to me that I slighted several disciplines. So let me just say I am looking for for any journal that publishes articles related to evolution (perhaps some of you people at Scripps can send me a list of oceanographic journals?). I know I have several readers that are working scientists...

On a related note I am looking for the following article:

Kimura, Moto 1961 "Natural Selection as the Process of Accumulating Genetic Information in Adaptive Evolution" Genetical Research 2:127-140

I don't have access to a library that carries Genetical Research so any kind hearted soul who has this article and can email it to me (at tmcdougald@lycos.com) would earn eternal kudos (or something). I would definitely appreciate it.

Idle Thoughts

I had to catch up on some yard work today. I also had several books to try and finish. I had started them a while ago and kept getting side tracked. I was starting to feel guilty about not posting anthing today - then I noticed a lot of blogs have posted little to nothing. Now I don't feel so bad.

One of the books I am trying to get through is "New Directions in Ecological Physiology" by Feder et al. One of the chapters (chapter 8: The Importance of Genetics to Physiological Ecology, by Richard Koehn) mentioned something that got me to thinking. But first, a little background for the genetically impaired- um, that came out wrong, I should say for those who are not very familiar with the science of genetics. For those of you who are familiar with genetics I apologize in advance for the intro material.

Genes can come in more than one form (alleles). For example, a gene can have two alleles- call them A and a. From these two alleles you can derive three possible genotypes AA, Aa and aa. Genotypes AA and aa are called homozygous and genotype Aa is called heterozygous. In a system lacking selection the frequency of the heterozygous genotype is contingent on the frequencies of A and a. Using Hardy-Weinberg one can calculate the frequency of Aa fairly simply.
When selection is present things become a little more difficult. Take sickle cell anemia. Sickle cell anemia is a recessive disease which causes red blood ceels to collapse into a sickle shaped cell. Terminology for the gene varies and I will use the Hb terminology. Basically, Hb A HbA is normal Hb S Hb S is the homozygote recessive - which is fatal - and Hb A Hb S are heterzygotes. Because having Hb A Hb S confers a certian amount of immunity to malaria this genotype enjoys a slight selective advantage over Hb A HbA. Even though there is selection for the heterozygote, we can still calculate the frequency. We just have to know the amount of selection and include a term for it in our formula for estimating gene frequencies.
Another interesting question is how many genes in a given genome are heterozygotic. I don't have figures at hand, but the answer is quite a few. So the next question is- leaving aside when heterozygotes have a selective advantage - are there any other advantages in having a large number of heterozygous genes.
Apparently, the answer is yes - at least in some species. Which brings us back to the above mentioned chapter in "New Directions in Ecological Physiology". Koehn reviews several studies which demonstrate that heterozygosity (and here I am refering to heterozygosity at the enzyme level) increase metabolic efficiency, resulting in energy savings. These energy savings can be channeled into any number of different areas - growth or increased feeding rates to name a few. Or (this is afarensis extrapolating) perhaps into new adaptations that allow for expanded niches or moves into new niches? Or to provide the energy for co-opting other traits and making something new out of them?

Okay Blogger is Acting Weird

Doesn't want to publish my last post - I was feeling a bit silly so maybe it's for the best that it doesn't get published.

The Intelligent Designer is a Gateway God: A Public Service Announcement.

From The Ayn Rand Institute via Chris Mooney comes the best description of Intelligent design I have heard to date.

Their scientifically accessible "designer" is nothing more than a gateway god--metaphysical marijuana intended to draw students away from natural, scientific explanations and get them hooked on the supernatural.

Metaphysical marijuana - I love it! Much as ID proponents try to deny their oposition to evolution is religiously inspired, we all know ID is a bridge between science and christianity. Step on it and before you know it you will be doing the "hard stuff". Next thing you know you will be in the gutter with Pat and company and folks will be wanting to do a scientific intervention on your sad sorry behind. Imagine the story you will have to tell to your friends in the seven step program. " I started with just a little criticism of some of the Icons of Evolution. I thought "hey, I'm not hooked I can control it". But then, before I knew it I was analyzing the specified complexity of turnips. I knew I had gone to far, but I couldn't quit. I realized I had hit rock bottom when I tried to prove that George Bush was irriducibly complex. But I couldn't stop myself, I had to have more..."
Tragic ain't it? Don't let this happen to you! The fellow below wishes he had taken my advice!




If you or anyone you know has become hooked on Intelligent Design (which is also called ID, creationism or Dembskiism) please seek help immediately.
P.S. You should also watch the movie "Reefer Madness" to fully understand the effects of this gateway god - just substitute ID for all references to marijuana. It's not a pretty picture.

Bias in the Kansas Educational Board Hearings

According to this article board members have not bothered to read the evolution friendly materials submitted.

As a State Board of Education subcommittee heard more testimony Friday on how evolution should be taught in Kansas classrooms, one member acknowledged that she hadn't read all of an evolution-friendly draft of science standards proposed by educators.

Kathy Martin of Clay Center made the comment while attempting to reassure a witness who said he hadn't read the entire proposal, just parts of it. Russell Carlson, a biochemistry and molecular biology professor at the University of Georgia, said he had reviewed an alternate proposal from intelligent design advocates.

"I've not read it word for word myself," Martin said of the other proposal, eliciting groans of disbelief from a few members of the audience.

I'm glad she's not on my school board. Clearly, if it were about creating the best academic standards possible, she would have read the proposal. Instead it is about pushing religious views on a captive audience (school children). Which does not, of course, require that one actually read anything.

Tubeworms and the impact of Evolutionary Theory on Medical Research

Tubeworms or interesting creatures. They live deep in the ocean near volcanic vents where the temperature often exceeds 200 degrees. They have no mouth or stomach, instead they acquire all their nutrients from colonies of symbiotic chemosynthetic bacteria.

Tubeworms 1


The red at the top of the tubeworm is due to hemogloblin. One of the other unique aspects of the tubeworm environment is the extremely large amount of sulfides. Sulfides present two problems to tubeworms. First, free sulfide reacts with oxygen. Second, they have to provide sulfides to the symbiotic bacteria that provide the tubeworms nutrients.

Tubeworm 2 


Tubeworms actually have two different types of hemoglobin. The second type is more interesting. "The hollow spherical structure in the hemoglobin of this species includes 12 zinc ions in depressions at the outer part of the molecule," explains Flores. "These ions form a reversible bond with the hydrogen sulfide molecules that could block the oxygen-carrying sites, allowing the molecule to simultaneously carry oxygen and sulfide."
Flores says that the hollow spherical structure is unique. "Human and other hemoglobins have a 'globular' form, but none have been discovered with this symmetrical sphere. This sphere is a very stable shape, which may be part of the adaptation for the extreme conditions in which these worms thrive."

Recent medical studies have focused on the worm's large hexagonal hemoglobins as possible substitutes for oxygen carriers in human blood. "The newly characterized molecule is substantially smaller than the hexagonal hemoglobin, reducing problems of removal by kidney filtration, but still has six times as many active oxygen-carrying sites as human hemoglobin," Flores adds.

.

So, by studying the evolution of tubeworm:

"Our discovery, which results from a very multi-disciplinary approach, replaces the current paradigm for the evolution of worm hemoglobin by demonstrating that hydrogen-sulfide molecules are bound by a metal ion rather than by an arrangement of amino acids."

we are led to a possible substitute for oxygen carriers in human blood - which could have many medical applications! Who says evolutionary theory doesn't have implications for medical research?

For more info go to:
Science Daily , PBS , Exploring the Deep Frontier , Dr C's Remarkable Ocean World and Here for more info.

Friday Cichlid Blogging

Cichlids are widely used as examples in evolutionary biology. Their explosive speciation in Lakes Victoria, Tanganyika and Malawi are widely cited in discussions of puncutuated evolution (Stanley's "Macroevolution: Pattern and Process" for example).

Lake Tanganyika

"...according to Kocher, the University of New Hampshire zoologist and geneticist, is a physical characteristic that appears to make cichlids particularly prone to rapid diversification: Cichlids have adjustable mouths that can be quickly altered to take advantage of new feeding opportunities.Cichlids have a second set of jaws in the back of their throats, which they use to process food before it enters their guts. Because the throat jaws do most of the work, "the oral jaws are therefore relatively free to evolve specializations for acquiring food," Kocher explained.

Lake Malawi

He said another key innovation in the type of cichlids that first colonized the Great Lakes and Lake Makgadikgadi is that females carry their eggs in their mouths for several weeks before releasing the young to fend for themselves. By contrast, most other cichlids share parental care.

Both


Although the spotlight has been mainly on the East Africa, however, Cichlids also inhabit rivers in southern Africa. Up till recently their origin's have been something of a mystery. Through the study of Mitochondrial DNA the geographic origins of the southern cichlids has been discovered.

Scientists say they have now uncovered a second evolutionary hot spot for these fish. The experts have traced the origins of cichlids in rivers across southern Africa to a single lake that no longer exists.

The study team found that cichlids found today in rivers such as the Congo, Zambezi, Okavango, and Limpopo originated from a massive lake that dried up some 2,000 years ago. Known as Lake Makgadikgadi, it once covered an area larger than Switzerland and was centered north of the Kalahari Desert in present-day Botswana.

Radiocarbon dating suggests that extinct Lake Makgadikgadi formed at least 52,000 years ago: Shifting faults in the region severed the Zambezi River and diverted flows of three large rivers to an inland drainage basin, creating the lake.

Lake Makgadikgadi dried up following further land upheavals, which caused the lake to empty into the middle Zambezi River. As this happened, many newly evolved cichlid species escaped with the lake water as it flowed into the river, the theory goes.

It's possible that the lake, though short-lived on an evolutionary timescale, could have spawned as many as 100 to 400 new species of cichlids, according to Ole Seehausen, an evolutionary ecologist at the University of Bern, Switzerland, and a member of the study team. Seehausen said 25 of these species have survived in the rivers of the region.

This is the most interesting quote from the article:

The study team said the lake appears to provide an extraordinary example of how "a localized evolutionary process can have a profound and lasting effect on the ecological and genetic diversity of a continental fauna."

The results are also being reported in Nature.

Speaking of the Devil

Fossils show dinosaur transformed into vegetarian.

A team of paleontologists led by Kirkland announced Wednesday the discovery of a new dinosaur caught in the evolutionary act of shifting from a meat eater to a vegetarian.

The 125-million-year-old creature is expected to shed light on this process not just for the dinosaur's group itself, but for dinosaurs generally, the researchers say.

The hilltop is a mass burial ground for the animals. The new find, dubbed Falcarius utahensis, may have hundreds of its brethren interred there in well-preserved condition.

'A hallmark dinosaur one day'

In the world of paleontology, that's a big deal. The overwhelming majority of the roughly 900 dinosaur species known are represented by a partial skeleton or a few bone fragments, Kirkland explains. "We estimate that there are well over a million bones here, and 99% are from this animal," he says. "This animal will be a hallmark dinosaur one day."

To the uninitiated, it resembles its Velociraptor cousin in many ways. But on closer inspection, the creature is clearly demoting itself on the food chain, the researchers say. Its teeth are losing their meat-eating edge. Its pelvis is broadening to accommodate a digestive system large enough to handle a plant-based diet. Its neck is growing longer, its legs stubbier, and its head smaller. In all, Falcarius displays 20 features of plant-eating dinosaurs that it appears to have evolved independently from other herbivores, (emphasis mine - afarensis) according to Lindsay Zanno of the University of Utah, who is working on the project.

Another piece of the puzzle gets put in place.

Here is a picture of the jaws (from National Geographic).




And here is a picture of the hand (looks like three metacarpals and a some carpals) and claws- as you can see they are related to velociraptors (also from National Geographic):

Fossil Fish

Red State Rabble linked to this article on the discovery of a new fossil fish. So I decided to post some pictures.




"...the exceptional preservation displayed in these rocks enables us to recognise the eyes, scales and even the liver of the animals. The impressions in the shale are faint, but they are also clear and diagnostic."




"The fossil record confirms that the evolution of fish was a step-wise event," explained Professor Aldridge. "The various characters that make up a fish, or a vertebrate, didn't all appear at once - they were added one-by-one through evolutionary time.

Kind of like the reptile-mammal and reptile-bird transitions.

Then there is this older (from 1999) discovery concerning Cambrian evolution. Interesting stuff!