Science vs Religion or are Both Right?

A great achievement for us, as a civilization, has been the mapping of the human genome. This is a remarkable mile mark in science which may hold the key to cures for disease and other understandings. However, this goal still upholds the age old questions regarding science and intelligent design. In this article we will bring intelligent design in focus with the thoughts and ideas that Charles Darwin brought forth. This article has great information, however, it is meant to serve as how the various schools of thought can be melded into a symphony of science.

To give an idea of where our raw genetic makeup fits in to the realm of all life on Earth the human genome consists of 23,000 protein coated genes. This number is significantly less than the number of genes in most plants. It is also less than an ear of corn. However, this number about equals the number of protein coated genes in a basic humble worm. This number actually fascinated many scientists. The thought that the “great” human body would fit in to the grand scheme in this manner caught the scientific community by surprise and has served to humble our thinking of our place in the biological world.

We have a genetic makeup almost identical to that of apes. It is estimated that about 1% remains that biologically makes us separate from the primates. It is awe-inspiring – 99% remains identical. At first glance this would go hand in hand with Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution deriving that the human species sprang from primates. However, is this proof enough or does it also open the door of pristine intelligent design using natural means versus supernatural?

What, then, makes us human in biological terms. One of the most fascinating physical features on the human body is the all-purpose thumb. With it we are able to write, throw a ball and even create art. Physically, we owe much to our thumb for the level of civilization that we enjoy today. In recent years the gene that triggers the growth of the thumb and the big toe has been isolated. This is a significant find in the study of the human genome because the DNA is sequenced in thirteen different places than for the primate. Curious – is it truly by accident or the extraordinary natural means of intelligent design that promotes the switch contained in our DNA to produce such completely different results?

Have you ever considered the childlike character of primates and wondered why they seem to be forever engrained in such a manner? The human brain is a complex organ capable of a wide array of calculations yet what allowed it to be as it is? To unravel this mystery we must first compare the two species and their growth rates. In all human beings there is a particular muscle making gene which is damaged with two codon letters missing. A codon is a group of three DNA letter-represented aliases. The basic letters are A, T, C and G. The particular gene in question, when switched on, causes the growth of two massive muscles attached to each cranial side of a primate. This muscle is used for chewing and to close the jaw and is notorious for enabling an ape's powerful pressure while performing these tasks. Our broken gene we credit for our having a fraction of the chewing force of an ape. It is truly remarkable the huge difference a little “flip of the switch” can produce.

This fact is riveting, however, it is not the central reason for the difference in brain functions. Because of this massive muscle an ape's cranium is fused together usually by the time it is three or four years of age. The large amount of use of this muscle fused the bones together thus preventing further brain growth. In contrast, due to this broken gene, we do not experience this constant pressure. In fact the human cranium does not become fully fused together until at around thirty years of age. All those extra years for the human brain being allowed to grow and develop has helped mark our place in this world. This is key to our development and understanding as human beings. Again the question may be asked; Is this evidence of the evolution of man or is it possible that the composition of man, being of the dust with all other elements, is controlled by intelligent design for some preconceived purpose?

An important discovery of the scientific community is the switch. Switches are what turns a gene on. A switch is what credits us for having a thumb. A switch is what credits the ape for having powerful jaws. A switch, in simplest of terms, can be viewed as flipping a light on and off. Evolution or intelligent design?

It is contained in holy writ that Moses was shown the Earth in it's entirety. So much so that he proclaimed that he was nothing, which thing he never before fathomed. Could it be through intelligent design that the very basic particles of the human species along with all other species on this planet is known and reckoned and that the raw clay consisting our bodies on a genetic level is “switched” on and off according to the measure of that creation's design?

It is in the opinion and testament of this author that science and matters of faith do not contradict one another. It is evident, though, that there will always be a stalemate when trying to prove one over the other. However, for those who remain open and submissive to new discoveries and interested in the many possibilities regarding faith the doors to understanding will be open for the foreseeable future. These are remarkable times in the world of science and yet with each new institution of data a deeper appreciation and understanding takes place of intelligent design.

As we continue to learn of deeper scientific data perhaps we will realize the grandeur of intelligent design in the workmanship of all life and creation on Earth.