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Words convey meaning, and the word pseudogene conveys the sense of a gene that is a sham, that is spurious, that is phoney. It is a word that is widely used in the literature on genetics, where pseudogenes are regarded as defunct relatives of functional genes. The dominant reason for studying them is because they “provide a record of how the genomic DNA has been changed without [. . .] evolutionary pressure and can be used as a model for determining the underlying rates of nucleotide substitution, insertion and deletion in the greater genome” (Source here). Recent research has challenged this assessment of these genetic elements and the textbooks need to be revised comprehensively. Nearly everything that has been widely Read More ›

Though evolutionists often cite testability as a criterion for acceptance, this apparently is not required when the theory is one of their own. The mutational-hazard (MH) hypothesis is difficult to test but, as one evolutionist reminds us, that is no reason to reject it:  read more

Some readers here may be aware of an online debate I’m taking part in with a neo-Darwinist (and friend), Francis Smallwood. Francis blogs at Musings of a Scientific Nature. We are currently discussing the issue of whether intelligent design is just a recent strain of creationism, and whether it is a legitimate scientific theory. What follows is our second round of responses. You can read Francis’ response by following the link at the bottom of this post. Feel free to criticise what I have written, and interact with Francis on his blog. Enjoy! ‘Is Intelligent Design science or ‘creationism in a cheap tuxedo?’ Joshua Gidney-2nd response In my opening remarks I attempted to argue that intelligent design is in no Read More ›

Glasgow Skeptics are hosting an event later this month, on Monday November 26th, featuring American evolutionary biologist Jerry Coyne of the University of Chicago. His topic is “Why Evolution is True.” Although I would normally attend these events, unfortunately I am unable to make this one. I am told that it is hoped that the event can be recorded, so will likely be providing a review of the talk when it becomes available online.  The event begins @ 19:30 and takes place in the Admiral Bar (72a Waterloo Street, G2 7DA Glasgow, United Kingdom). You can read the full details here, or visit the facebook events page here. In addition, Coyne is giving a talk in Edinburgh on Friday the Read More ›

The judge of the Coppedge discrimination case has tentatively ruled against David Coppedge and in favor of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Discovery Institute’s John West reports on the story here.

Science Daily reports on a new study by Rebecca Martin of the University of Colorado which found that “Solar systems with life-bearing planets may be rare if they are dependent on the presence of asteroid belts of just the right mass.” The article reports, They suggest that the size and location of an asteroid belt, shaped by the evolution of the Sun’s protoplanetary disk and by the gravitational influence of a nearby giant Jupiter-like planet, may determine whether complex life will evolve on an Earth-like planet. This might sound surprising because asteroids are considered a nuisance due to their potential to impact Earth and trigger mass extinctions. But an emerging view proposes that asteroid collisions with planets may provide a boost Read More ›