In the aftermath of Dan Graur’s claim that either our genome is mostly junk or evolution is false, new research is finding yet more ways that the so-called junk DNA is, in fact, functional. This time it is the introns which have been found to help with regulation of gene expression. As one of the researchers explained: read more
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Here is a recent paper that defends the Sept. 2012 ENCODE findings, of pervasive functionality across the genome, from Darwinian attempts to discredit the findings:
Actually, not only was the original +90% Junk DNA figure of Darwinists derived/driven primarily from Darwinian theological metaphysics as to what God would and would not do in this universe (instead of actual investigation for functionality for DNA),
but the +90% Junk DNA figure was also required.derived because of the mathematics of population genetics. At the 2:45 minute mark of the following video, the mathematical roots of the junk DNA argument can be traced through Haldane, Kimura, and Ohno’s work in the late 1950’s, 60’s through the early 70’s:
Here is a more detailed history of the mathematical roots of the Junk DNA argument and how it ‘evolved’:
Moreover, the genome, contrary to what Darwinists presuppose, from what little has been understood of it thus far, is certainly going to be found to be far more functional than anyone, especially Darwinists, had dared imagine:
Related note:
Much like the current Junk DNA fiasco of Darwinists, for many years Darwinists predicted that much of human anatomy was vestigial (useless and leftover evolutionary baggage). Yet once again, they were proven completely wrong in this prediction that was derived/driven by their a priori metaphysics as to what God would and would not do in this universe.
Early research suggested that about 98 percent of the DNA in humans and other organisms had no function. Hence, many who were influenced by the theory of evolution assumed that this DNA was “evolutionary junk”—a view that quickly became orthodox.
Once again, however, an assumption rooted in Darwinism proved to be false. Recently, scientists have discovered that “junk” DNA plays a vital role in the body by yielding special forms of RNA (ribonucleic acid) that are vital for life. John S. Mattick, director of the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of Queensland in Australia, feels that the hasty acceptance of the “junk” DNA theory is “a classic story of orthodoxy derailing objective analysis of the facts, in this case for a quarter of a century.” This failure, he adds, “may well go down as one of the biggest mistakes in the history of molecular biology.”
Recent research indicates that long noncoding RNAs are quite complex and that they are actually required for normal development. Researchers have found that malfunctions in long noncoding RNAs are associated with many diseases, such as various cancers, psoriasis, and even Alzheimer’s disease. What was previously labeled as “junk” may hold the key to diagnosing and treating various diseases!
Dr. Hunter, why would gene regulation be more important in eukaryotes than in prokaryotes?
thank you