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Episode 4 of Secrets of the Cell — Broken Wolves and other Evolutionary Conundrums

David Klinghoffer

On a new episode of Secrets of the Cell with Michael Behe, the famed biochemist and intelligent design proponent briefly examines several evolutionary icons. These are living species that are considered by Darwinists as slam-dunk evidence of unguided evolution’s creative power, but that turn out to be just the opposite:

Dogs, for one, in their great variety descend from wolves. Atheist biologist Richard Dawkins and others have pointed to man’s best friend as confirmation that evolution creatively builds new species. Behe explains, though, that when the cell’s secrets are considered — biological information at the DNA level — we discover that dogs are broken wolves. Of course that doesn’t make them any less loveable. They evolved largely by losing genetic functions through mutation. As Dr. Behe explains, “The mutations don’t construct new genes. Most of them break or damage preexisting genes.” He gives specific illustrations. In fact, some of the things we love most about dogs are due to such “disruptions” or “degradations” of genes. In just five minutes, Behe expands his case studies of the phenomenon to polar bears and the E. coli bacteria studied in Richard Lenski’s famous lab.

But the most widely advertised wonder of evolution is that it builds novelties, not that it destroys them. In that case, where do the novelties come from? Behe will answer that question in a subsequent episode.

Look here, here, and here for previous installments of Secrets of the Cell from Discovery Institute. We have intelligently designed this series to make ID as accessible as it ever can be, for everyone. Please be sure to share Secrets widely with your network! Episode 5 premieres next Wednesday. Find it here at Evolution News.

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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biochemistrybiological informationbroken wolvescreative powerDNADogsE. colievolutionEvolution Newsgenesgenetic functionintelligent designMichael Behemutationspolar bearsRichard LenskiSecrets of the Cellwolves