Casey Luskin: ID as fruitful approach to science

_{Denyse O'Leary

May 13, 2022

Intelligent Design}

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In his Kitzmiller v. Dover testimony, biologist Kenneth Miller referred to intelligent design as a “science stopper.” Similarly, in his book Only a Theory, Miller stated, “The hypothesis of design is compatible with any conceivable data, makes no testable predictions, and suggests no new avenues for research. As such, it’s a literal dead end…”
Casey Luskin, “Science Stopper? Intelligent Design as a Fruitful Scientific Paradigm” at Evolution News (May 9, 2022)

Luskin offers a number of examples of areas where ID is a fruitful approach, including

Evolutionary computation: ID produces theoretical research into the information-generative powers of Darwinian searches, leading to the discovery that the search abilities of Darwinian processes are limited, which has practical implications for the viability of using genetic algorithms to solve problems.
Anatomy and physiology: ID predicts function for allegedly “vestigial” organs, structures, or systems whereas evolution has made many faulty predictions of nonfunction.
Bioinformatics: ID has helped scientists develop proper measures of biological information, leading to concepts like complex and specified information or functional sequence complexity. This allows us to better quantify complexity and understand what features are, or are not, within the reach of Darwinian evolution.
Casey Luskin, “Science Stopper? Intelligent Design as a Fruitful Scientific Paradigm” at Evolution News (May 9, 2022)

The trouble is, many people would just as soon that research into evolutionary computation anatomy and physiology, and bioinformatics, however fruitful, not be done if it undermines a comfortable Darwinism.

This is the 12th and final entry in Casey Luskin’s series, which is a modified excerpt from The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith: Exploring the Ultimate Questions About Life and the Cosmos (2021).

Incidentally, here are two hilarious vids about fake COVID news from Shanghai. Couldn’t think where to put it but wouldn’t want you to miss out.

Note: The content is available. The warning is part of the joke.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMJ8Sch0pXc

Comments

ET
There is a lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for terminating an employee for refusing to get the vaccine. She refused because she had just become pregnant after years of trying. She refused because her mother received the vaccine and became irreparably damaged.
There is a minimal risk with an adverse reaction to all vaccines. In the case of Covid, the benefit far outweighs the risk.
My wife now has a huge cyst attached to her thyroid. The endocrinologist said it was from the vaccine and boosters. Now she needs major surgery.
I'm sorry to hear about your wife's condition. I hope her treatment is completely successful. Here is a paper on how rare thyroid problems are and how the majority are resolved. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40618-022-01786-7Fred Hickson_{May 17, 2022
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JVL:
What about those whose immune systems are compromised? What about those for whom vaccines are risky because they are going through chemotherapy?
Vaccinated people can get infected and spread it to those people. What is wrong with you? As for my wife- It's the thyroid. And clearly he knew of other such cases. My wife had to get vaccinated or loose her job. I don't have that issue. My kid had to get vaccinated or not go to college. I don't have that issue.ET_{May 17, 2022
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ET: We already know that zinc prevents both viruses from replicating. So, I don’t understand why these alleged defenders of science have an issue with science! The zinc results are lab based are they not? As opposed to long-term supplement, in human studies? A lot of things will kill virus in Petri dishes. Again, I'm curious . . . your wife chose to get vaccinated and you did not. Is that correct? That must have cause a bit of a conflict.JVL_{May 17, 2022
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ET: Pure stupidity. If the other people are vaccinated, then they don’t have anything to worry from me. What about those whose immune systems are compromised? What about those for whom vaccines are risky because they are going through chemotherapy? You say atheists shouldn't care about others because they have no moral standard. Well, show me you do have a moral standard and think about those more vulnerable than yourself. Anyone can search on the long-term side effects of the covid-19 vaccines. Please provide some documentation. I will read it. My wife now has a huge cyst attached to her thyroid. The endocrinologist said it was from the vaccine and boosters. Now she needs major surgery. I am very sorry to hear about your wife and my wishes are for her to make a full and complete recovery. Is that why you were absent for a while? I honestly and truthfully hope she is going to be okay. But, I have to say, I don't understand how someone could conclude that a vaccine caused a cyst. I'd be very interested to hear the reasoning behind that diagnosis. And, am I to understand that she got vaccinated and you didn't?JVL_{May 17, 2022
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I do not need the covid-19 or influenza vaccines. So, no, I will not get either of them. There are better ways to fight those viruses. And it all starts with having the proper levels of essential nutrients, like zinc and vitamin D. We already know that zinc prevents both viruses from replicating. So, I don't understand why these alleged defenders of science have an issue with science!ET_{May 17, 2022
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FredHicks The classic case is achondroplasia where a mutation in a particular gene causes morphological changes in the long bones.
:lol: Yep, this doesn't help you too much. I was talking about darwinian evolution.Why do you think is called "genetic disorder" and not "genetic evolution"? You should call them to edit . Oh wait I know what you think :men are women , genetic disorder is genetic evolution. You must be very confused it's a common symptom of darwin's soldiers.Sandy_{May 17, 2022
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KF
FH, you were given a place to start. Who is Dr Robert Mallone, and why is he being a dissident? KF
I looked him up. Not impressed.Fred Hickson_{May 17, 2022
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Neil Shubin doesn't have any idea what makes an organism what it is. He doesn't know what determines biological form. He doesn't have any clue how blind and mindless processes produced metazoans, which require meiosis and the processes involved with developmental biology.ET_{May 17, 2022
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Thanks, JVL, If I weren't already vaccinated, you'd have convinced me. :) I have to confess I skipped the 'flu jab last two winters as with the social distancing, i thought any chance of catching it was negligible. I believe 'flu infections nose dived during the Covid pandemic. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/faq-flu-season-2020-2021.htmFred Hickson_{May 17, 2022
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Sandy: First, nobody showed (in a scientific experiment not “explanations” about how might/could/should have happened)how a change in gene can led to an evolutionary change in morphology. You should read Neil Shubin's book Some Assembly Required wherein he lays out cases where a documented change in a control gene does lead to a change in morphology.JVL_{May 17, 2022
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JVL:
If you care about other people AND you choose to not get vaccinated then, please, stay away from others. It’s the humane and caring thing to do.
Pure stupidity. If the other people are vaccinated, then they don't have anything to worry from me.ET_{May 17, 2022
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Oh look, the Vaccine Virtue Signallers have popped out of the ground. Must be spring. Andrewasauber_{May 17, 2022
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seversky is another willfully ignorant clown. The OTC regimen is to prevent infection. It is not a treatment. What is wrong with you?ET_{May 17, 2022
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Vaccines for covid-19 and influenza are not required. There are better ways to beat those viruses.ET_{May 17, 2022
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Fred Hickson:
It’s pretty obvious there isn’t any evidence of “irreparable damage” that would stand up to scrutiny.
Your willful ignorance isn't an argument, Fred. Anyone can search on the long-term side effects of the covid-19 vaccines. There is a lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for terminating an employee for refusing to get the vaccine. She refused because she had just become pregnant after years of trying. She refused because her mother received the vaccine and became irreparably damaged. My wife now has a huge cyst attached to her thyroid. The endocrinologist said it was from the vaccine and boosters. Now she needs major surgery.ET_{May 17, 2022
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FH, you were given a place to start. Who is Dr Robert Mallone, and why is he being a dissident? KFkairosfocus_{May 17, 2022
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Relatd: There are still a number of people who do not believe this. Some side effects from the various vaccines have been reported in various credible sources. Some people never believed the vaccines were safe. Every vaccine ever invented has had a few cases of very negative side effects. That is true. I'm not denying that. But, generally, probabilistically, it's much, much better for you to get vaccinated than not. The chances of dying in a car accident driving to work are greater than having a severe reaction to a COVID vaccination but people are still driving to work. The issue really is that people want to make up their own mind. They want to choose to drive to work and risk dying in an accident. They want to choose to not get vaccinated and die of COVID. Mostly, dying in a car accident doesn't affect that many other people. But, we have created laws for insurance which protect those you might kill or maim if you drive poorly or your brakes fail. Right now, there are no laws protecting people you might infect with COVID because you chose not to get vaccinated. When such laws are in place then I'll be much more likely to support a decision to stay unvaccinated. But right now, an unvaccinated person who thinks they should be able to move amongst the general population without thinking of others is akin to Typhoid Mary. If you care about other people AND you choose to not get vaccinated then, please, stay away from others. It's the humane and caring thing to do. Also, you don't get to make the choice for others, especially those with compromised immune systems. Please stay away from them.JVL_{May 17, 2022
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Fred Hickson: Anyone else prepared to say whether they’ve been vaccinated and why? Those confessing to having been vaccinated – any ill effects? Gladly vaccinated three times and hoping for a fourth, to be honest. Why wouldn't I get vaccinated, the health risks from getting a severe case of COVID-19 include death which is not something I'd like to entertain. Also, there are more and more studies showing that long COVID (symptoms which persist for a year or more) can be debilitating for people who are not vaccinated. I got the flu one year . . . that was a revelation. I had thought the flu was like a bad cold; what was the fuss? I was out, non-functional, for two weeks. Ever since then I've gotten my yearly flu jab. I don't expect it to prevent me getting the flu 100% but I hope it takes away some cases and some symptoms if I am exposed. No ill effects really with the COVID vaccines. Just like any other vaccine, a bit of a sore spot but, to be honest, if I had had the vaccine whilst sleeping I doubt I would have noticed anything.JVL_{May 17, 2022
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JVL at 302, There are still a number of people who do not believe this. Some side effects from the various vaccines have been reported in various credible sources. Some people never believed the vaccines were safe. My recommendation would be that these people talk to their doctor.relatd_{May 17, 2022
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FH at 301, That's classified information.relatd_{May 17, 2022
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Relatd: And now, after millions of shots have been delivered, the real-world results are obvious. Yes, a lot of people have had much less severe symptoms from COVID-19 because they were vaccinated. This is a very good thing. Probably millions of lives were saved. Isn't that the point? Isn't that good?JVL_{May 17, 2022
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Excellent points at 296, Relatd, but did you get a Covid shot?Fred Hickson_{May 17, 2022
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FH at 295, I was thinking about this: https://farm.ewg.org/relatd_{May 17, 2022
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JHolo
FH, I have been vaccinated for COVID. Twice and one booster, with the second booster scheduled for next week. Polio, smallpox, measles, mumps, rubella, hep A and B, shingles, tetanus, and probably a few more.
Too much info! ;) but thanks!
Our daughters have had all of these (except shingles) as well as HPV, to protect against cancers caused by an STD. I wonder what some here would think of a father vaccinating his underage daughters against one of the risks of sexual activity.
Well, the cat is out of the bag now!Fred Hickson_{May 17, 2022
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First, nobody showed (in a scientific experiment not “explanations” about how might/could/should have happened)how a change in gene can led to an evolutionary change in morphology.
The classic case is achondroplasia where a mutation in a particular gene causes morphological changes in the long bones. If you want a much tougher conundrum, try asking how anyone can explain how innate behavior encodes in genes.Fred Hickson_{May 17, 2022
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FH, I have been vaccinated for COVID. Twice and one booster, with the second booster scheduled for next week. Polio, smallpox, measles, mumps, rubella, hep A and B, shingles, tetanus, and probably a few more. Our daughters have had all of these (except shingles) as well as HPV, to protect against cancers caused by an STD. I wonder what some here would think of a father vaccinating his underage daughters against one of the risks of sexual activity.JHolo_{May 17, 2022
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Bizarre to see this about the virus. This is how it breaks down. A) I don't trust the government so I won't get a vaccine. B) I'll use some alternative form of treatment because it's better and/or safer than getting a vaccine. C) I'll take the vaccine and the booster and the booster after that. Every year. That's every year, There's a new flu shot. And people get it. Every year. But oh no, THIS is different. How is it different? "The vaccines were rushed into production." Really? They were tested on nobody? That's how they got Emergency Use Authorization? And now, after millions of shots have been delivered, the real-world results are obvious. Has anyone seen the ads on American TV for new drugs? Listened for all the side effects? After watching dozens of commercials, it's clear to me that I would never take any of these drugs unless my doctor, and only my doctor, told me I needed one.relatd_{May 17, 2022
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@ Relatd (sic)* Is this what you are talking about? https://thecounter.org/biden-administration-farmers-conservation-reserve-crp-usda-vilsack/ *couldn't resist ;)Fred Hickson_{May 17, 2022
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First, nobody showed (in a scientific experiment not "explanations" about how might/could/should have happened)how a change in gene can led to an evolutionary change in morphology. Secondly, there are a lot of scientific experiments in which is shown that exists a change of morphology WITHOUT genetic change. This "gene can change morphology" is a strange kind of brainwashing that people believe instinctualy without chalenging the idea or asking for evidences. It's same situation with "random mutation" that is instinctualy accepted by people that don't know too much about biology . 1. There are no evidences for genome changing morphology . 2.There are strong evidences for change of morphology without genome change. Then the discussion about mutations is useless. A mutation will never create a morphological change the only thing that a mutation could do is death or a defect / disease. Not very helpfull for darwin's soldiers. PS: I think this concept of mutation is as false as old concept of junk DNA. Mutations (except the errors ) are all part of genome maintenance algorithms that no scientist will hack so they say it's neutral or whatever as "explanation".Sandy_{May 17, 2022
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Thanks for the info, Seversky. Hope you set a trend in responses!Fred Hickson_{May 17, 2022
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