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Conversations with Michael Denton: Evo-Devo as a Two-Edged Sword for Darwinism

“Evo-devo” sounds like it should be an early 1980s punk rock band. In fact, as Discovery Institute biologist Michael Denton explains, the field of evolutionary development biology, like the iconic Darwinian Tree of Life itself, cuts sword-like through neo-Darwinism.

The sword has two edges. Yes, the revelations of evo-devo are suggestive of evolution in the sense of common descent. However, the “highly conserved gene circuits and integrated developmental modules” that guide development are another matter. Denton gives the example of a developmental module like the one that results in the decreasing size of the phalanx bones of the hand (proximal, intermediate, distal) — something that is devilishly difficult, near impossible, to explain in terms of Darwinian adaptation.

Notwithstanding happy talk from Darwin’s apologists, it’s another instance where the crisis of evolutionary theory grows as science advances. The more we know, the more Darwinism fails to explain.

Editor’s note: Get your copy of Dr. Denton’s Evolution: Still a Theory in Crisis now. For a limited time, you’ll enjoy a 30 percent discount at CreateSpace by using the discount code QBDHMYJH.

David Klinghoffer

Senior Fellow and Editor, Evolution News
David Klinghoffer is a Senior Fellow at Discovery Institute and the editor of Evolution News & Science Today, the daily voice of Discovery Institute’s Center for Science & Culture, reporting on intelligent design, evolution, and the intersection of science and culture. Klinghoffer is also the author of six books, a former senior editor and literary editor at National Review magazine, and has written for the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Seattle Times, Commentary, and other publications. Born in Santa Monica, California, he graduated from Brown University in 1987 with an A.B. magna cum laude in comparative literature and religious studies. David lives near Seattle, Washington, with his wife and children.

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