Genetic Variability by Design

Chris Ashcraft

Northwest Creation Network

NWcreation.net

Evolution vs. Creation

Creationists say that God created all genes in the beginning. “No New Genetic Information” is a popular argument against evolution.

Evolutionists say that genetic information accumulates gradually over time by random mutagenesis.

Seminar ContentOrganisms were created with the ability to change (evolve). How is this accomplished genetically?

• Terminology• Problems with Theories• Mechanisms Involved• Genetic Variability• Evidence of Design

Cell = Microscopic Factory

Human Dendritic Cell(Immunity Sentinel)

All living organisms are composed of one or more microscopic cells.

DNA = Information

46 Human ChromosomesApprox 2.0 Meters per Cell

• Chromosomes - long strands of DNA that contain many genes.

• Genes - codes that tell the cell’s machinery how to make protein.

• Proteins - the organic machinery and material that make life happen.

DNA is coded instructions on how to make protein.

3 nucleotides comprise a coding unit called a codon, which specifies the amino acid used in the protein.

Genetic Code

Codon - Amino AcidUGC = CysteinCUG = LeucineAGU = SerineGCA = Alanine

"The gene is by far the most sophisticated program around.”

- Bill Gates, Business Week, June 27, 1994

Evolution Before Genetics Charles Darwin’s The Origin

of Species was published in 1859 theorizing that variations in nature were randomly inherited.

Gregor Mendel established the basis for modern genetics in 1900 showing that variety was produced in predictable patterns.

Charles Darwin

Gregor Mendel

Parental Cross - F1 Hybrid - F2 Phenotypes - F2 Ratio================================================================Round X Wrinkled Seed Round 5474 Round :1850 Wrinkled 2.96 : 1Yellow X Green Seeds Yellow 6022 Yellow : 2001 Green 3.01 : 1Red X White Flowers Red 705 Red : 224 White 3.15 : 1Tall X Dwarf Plants Tall 1787 Tall : 227 Dwarf 2.84 : 1

The Foundation of Genetics

Mendel’s Conclusions Traits are inherited as distinct units. (Genes)

Sexually reproducing organisms have a pair of units for each trait. (Alleles). Trait variation exist in a population because genes are present in more than one form.

Pure Breeds have an identical pair of alleles (Homozygote) and pass the specific trait to every offspring.

Canine History

Domestic breeding history provides evidence for rapid production of variety.

Creation vs. Evolution?

Wolf possessed the genetic variability used to generate the dog breeds.

Is This True?

Implications of Breeding History

Pure Breed Wolf PupsGenetic Homozygote

How was the variety in the dog breeds produced from a genetically pure ancestor?

Genetic Bottleneck

Proof that genetic information accumulates rapidly comes from the Biblical flood record. A single breeding pair for each “kind” was

reintroduced following the flood, and 7 pairs of each clean animal. Only 8 people were on board the ark.

Locations of Genes (Locus)The maximum number of genes per locus at the time of the flood is known.

14 animals can only possess 28 genes per locus.

8 people can only possess 16 genes per locus.

Today there are hundreds and for some thousands of genes per locus.

DNA Helix

• Mutation - Unintentional genetic change resulting from errors or exposure to mutagens.

• Recombination - Intentional genetic change introduced by cellular machinery.

• There is currently no method available to determine which source has altered genetic code.

Sources of Gene Variability

DNA Recombination

Recombination alters DNA before cells divide to generates offspring diversity.

The exact changes made during these reactions remain largely unknown.

This is likely the time when genes are edited to add new information to the population. Human Chromosomes

Cell Division

Prior to cell division, the chromosomes condense and then recombine their genetic information.

Homologous Recombination

Homologous Chromosomes

Recombination occurs between homologous chromosomes.

Homologues possess similar DNA and genes for the same trait.

Evolutionist Assumptions

• It is assumed that recombination is simply shuffling preexisting genes, and changes to genes are the result of errors or other mutations.

Gene Crossover

Creationist Assumptions

"Recombination explains why children look different from their parents. This shuffling of the genes can produce superior combinations of different genes. However, because we see that mutations are incapable of supplying useful variation, the useful genes that are there to be shuffled must have been created at the beginning." The History of Life. Lane P. Lester. Creation Research Society Quarterly 31(2) 1994 p96

Typical Creationist Perspective“No New Genetic Information”

Non Random Crossover Since their discovery and

use in genetic mapping, crossing-over was assumed to occur randomly along the length of chromosomes

Research has now shown that crossing-over is not a randomized process. Hotspots & coldspots Sex-specific differences. Meiosis vs. Mitosis

New Alleles by Recombination

Recombination within genes can create new alleles (gene varieties).

Any alteration found to exist should be assumed the result of these reactions.

Homologous RecombinationA large group of reactions where a piece of

homologous (similar) DNA is used to edit another.

Performed during meiosis to create offspring diversity. Performed during mitosis to create cellular diversity. Repairs several types of DNA damage. Used to incorporate foreign DNA (genetic transformation). Is induced by a wide variety of environmental stresses

such as nutrient deprivation, high cell density, and a great many carcinogens.

Is induced or shut off as a programmed cell function during differentiation, and development.

Crossover vs. Gene Conversion

Gene conversion is a class of homologous recombination that alters sequences on only one homologue using template DNA called pseudo genes. This type of recombination is used to creates new alleles.

Variable GenesMany genes are hyper-variable or change regularly from one generation to the next.

More variable than neutral regions between genes. Have distinct variable and invariable regions. Frequently involved with inter-species contacts. Antagonists of variable proteins are also variable.

AntibodiesA limited number of genes is able to produce a

virtual unlimited number of antibodies.

An antibody is specialized to label only 1 foreign substance.

Variable Antibody Genes

Human immunity is due to single base-pair substitutions, found in 2002 to be from gene conversion.

Repeated rounds of gene conversion alter the variable region of the gene to develop increased specificity after antigen binding. (Maturity)

Non-Random Immunity

Many Diseases have been eliminated because everyone inoculated develops antibodies. Small Pox - the last case was

reported in 1977 (World Health Organization)

Measles - eliminate in the US by 1999 (Center for Disease Control)

Polio - eliminated in the US by 1979. From the world by 2005 (World Health Organization)

Random processes do not produce certain outcomes!

1999 - the human MHC loci was sequenced.

Gene conversion is now known responsible for the creation of new MHC alleles.

MHC editions are not random. The changes vary greatly from

one allele to the next. There are variable and

invariable regions Editions are localized to

specific areas that are rich in CpG nucleotide dimers.

Alleles per MHC Locus

Major Histocompatibility Complex

Cone Snail Toxins

Protein toxins (venom) show a high frequency of genetic variability.Snakes, Scorpions, etc.

It has been estimated that there are 100 unique peptides toxins for each Cone Snail species.

50,000 are estimated in the genus.

Conotoxins block neural transmitters, and used to medically treat disorders

such as epilepsy.

Cysteine codons were found at specific positions that remained conserved within the most variable portion of the gene.

C…C…CC…C…C Conotoxin genes are also

varied more often by transversions rather than transitional substitutions. AT TA

Conotoxin Variability

Some cone shells are highly valued and worth upwards of $1000.

Genetic Warfare

Antagonists of variable genes are also typically variable.

Antitoxins - possessed by

typical prey are also found to be highly variable.

Antigens - parasitic organisms alter their surface proteins regularly to stay ahead of immunity systems.

Environmental-Dependent Editing

• Genetic editions at times occur as a direct response to environmental stimulus such as stress.• Antibodies follow antigen• SOS Response in Bacteria• Heat Shock Protein in Flies

Thermus aquaticus was found in Yellowstone Hotsprings surviving at temperatures up to 176 degrees F.

Why Rely On Mutations?

Evolutionary theory attempts to explain the origin of genetic information by mechanisms other than intentional creation.

Purposeful genetic variability implies intelligent design, and natural science is based on atheistic philosophy.

"Mutation is the ultimate source of all genetic variation found in natural populations and the only new material available for natural selection to work on." Ernst Mayr. Populations, Species, & Evolution. 1970, p.102

Natural Science is Atheistic A 1998 report in Nature states

that, "among the top natural scientists, disbelief is greater than ever; almost total".

The biologists in the National Academy of Science possess the lowest rate of belief of all the science disciplines, with only 5.5% believing in God. (20:1 ratio)

Nature Vol. 394:6691 (1998)

Genomic Variability

Genetic transformations are performed with regularity today, and facilities designed for this purpose can be found on every major university campus in the United States. Transformations offer proof of the flexibility of the genome, and interspecies gene transfer through homologous recombination (HR).

Prokaryote Genetic Transformations

Bacteria acquire new genes by absorbing DNA molecules from their surroundings. (HR)

Stress induces bacterial to uptake and incorporate DNA; starvation, heat, salt, etc.

The ability to deliberately transform the bacterium E. coli has made possible the cloning of many genes - including human, and revolutionized the biotechnology industry.

Eukaryote Genetic Transformation

Anything that stresses the cell membrane improves the efficiency of genetic transformation

Biolistics - DNA coated gold particles shot at cells using high pressure delivery. (22 caliber / gas)

Cells will uptake and splice the foreign DNA into their genome through homologous recombination.

Crown Gall Disease andNatural Genetic Transformation

Agrobacterium Tumerfaciens genetically transforms plants as a parasitic strategy.

The Bacteria uses amino acids called opines as food, which it forces the plant to produce.

It also induces tumors to multiply the number of opine producing cells.

Natural Transformation

Agrobacterium Transformation

DNA Transfection

• A Tumor is induced because the bacteria transforms the plant with genes that make plant growth regulators.

• The genes or hormones can not be used by the bacteria, and were likely stolen from plants.

HindIII BamHI SacI EcoRI

HrpN Full Length NOSTNOSP pE58

HindIII BamHI SacI EcoRI

HrpN Full Length NOSTSS

(BglII/BamHI)

NOSP pE60

HindIII BamHI SacI EcoRI

H8 HrpN Fragment NOSTSS

(BglII/BamHI)

NOSP pE88

Genetic Constructs

Molecular biologists make genetic constructs using gene fragments obtained from various organisms by cutting and splicing them together. It is likely that the cell performs a similar type of self genetic engineering.

Genetic Engineer

Agrobacteria has apparently constructed a plasmid that contains acquired plant grown hormones, and may demonstrate the application of recombination to use foreign genes for new purposes.

Creation Science

NWcreation.net

Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.than on Christ.

Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.made, so that men are without excuse.

Diversity by Design

Because a limited amount of genetic information was introduced following the flood, and millions of years were not involved in the

production of the vast quantity of alleles at each locus, new genetic information is produced rapidly by intelligent design.

Plant Transformation Strategy

Transfect tissue with selectable DNA

Grow tissue under selection strategy

Isolate somatic embryos Regenerate plant Test to confirm presence of

foreign gene

Genetic transformation techniques have been used to creation herbicide resistant crops (Roundup-ready), and insect resistant crops (BT), etc.