Scientists like to talk about how ancient they believe life on earth is. They think there are microbes that date to 3.5 billion years ago. They assume DNA evolved 800 million years ago. They believe they can see sponges that are preserved in 700-million-year-old rocks.

There is one serious problem for the scenario that life evolved hundreds of millions of years ago. The background radiation which is everywhere on earth continues to damage DNA generation after generation.

The National Research Council has said: “Ionizing radiation damages the genetic material in reproductive cells and results in mutations that are transmitted from generation to generation…. radiation has been found to be mutagenic in all organisms studied so far”  (National Research Council (US) Committee on the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR V), Chapter 2: “Health Effects of Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation,” National Academies Press (US): Washington, D.C., 1990.)                                                                                                              

Although the annual average effective dose from natural background ionizing radiation is small, after 50 or 60 years the accumulated effects of this radiation can be strong enough to cause cancer and damage DNA. After millions of years, it is logical to wonder why DNA hasn’t already largely deteriorated. DNA is especially susceptible to damage from ionizing radiation. Although cells will try to repair this damage, they often fail.

In 2020, Science Magazine published an article attempting to explain how some microbes can survive the dangerous radiation and accompanying mutations. Apparently, these microbes can go dormant under the sea floor “for eons” in a state of suspended animation. When clay samples containing the microbes were brought to the surface, the organisms were able to multiply. Although this proved they could exist on the small amount of gas that diffuses from the ocean surface for a period of time, could they have overcome the accumulation of mutations for hundreds of millions of years?

Vilhelmiina Haavisto, a researcher from Zurich has admitted that bacteria get older, like all organisms. “As organisms age, their cells accumulate damage that impairs functioning. Molecular damage is implicated in many age-related conditions in humans and is equally relevant for single-celled organisms. While they may not ‘look’ their age, bacteria feel the passage of time too,” she wrote. 

Damage to DNA caused by mutations is a major problem for evolutionary theory. Evolutionary geneticist, Theodosius Dobzhansky, in 1951 wrote: “A majority of mutations, both those arising in the laboratories and those stored in natural populations, produce deteriorations of viability, hereditary disease and monstrosities. Such changes it would seem, can hardly serve as evolutionary building blocks.” (Dobzhansky, Theodosius. Genetics and the Origin of Species, New York: Columbia University Press. 1951.)

After eons of time, it is reasonable to believe mutations would have done so much damage to DNA, all species would have gone extinct by now. As John Henry Egan wrote in 2009, “Mutations are almost never beneficial to a species, and most of the time mutations are dealt with harshly by nature: That is to say; natural selection weeds them out.” (Egan, John Henry. 6 Million and Counting: Darwin, Hitler and Genocide. The Darwinian Crisis in America. Baton Rouge, LA: Third Millennium Press. 2009. P. 46.) So, why do evolutionists still believe mutations could have turned single-celled organisms into humans over eons of time? 

Comments: Science-fiction writers apparently know more about mutations than do many scientists. When somebody is called a mutant in a sci-fi story, the poor creature is usually portrayed as being deformed, ugly, dumb. and somebody to avoid. Yet, most scientists still assume that mutations can be steps in the right direction in improving a species.

Many people are worried about all the species which are going extinct. One report says 1 million species are threatened with extinction. And mutation accumulation is listed as one of the main reasons for this sad situation. So, why haven’t ALL species gone extinct by now if the world and life are as old as is claimed? Why aren’t we talking more about DEVOLUTION?

Unfortunately, there is only a little bit we can do to avoid mutations in our own bodies and those of our descendants. Cleveland Clinic says, “Some genetic mutations happen randomly, and you can’t prevent them from occurring. Other genetic mutations can be the result of changes to your environment. You can take steps to prevent some genetic mutations by: Not smoking; Wearing sunscreen when out in the sun; Avoiding chemical exposure (carcinogens) or exposure to radiation (X-ray exposure); Eating a healthy, balanced diet and avoiding processed foods.”

Sin is like a mutation. One sin can lead to another, as in the case of King David who let lust devolve into lies and murder. Yet, we have a perfect solution for the sin mutation. Jesus Christ. Our sinful nature will remain with us but only for a short time. We can have our sins washed away more effectively than any soap can wash away dirt. We only need to follow our Savior Jesus Christ.

“Get up, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” (Acts 22:16)

By Warren Krug

Reference: Jerry Bergman, “Do Bacteria Grow Old?” Creation Evolution Headlines (September 30, 2024). 

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QUESTION OF THE DAY

Are the new blood tests for checking for Alzheimer’s risk reliable?

The Mayo Clinic says no. At present the expensive new tests have flaws. They measure only one marker of potential Alzheimer’s risk, amyloid-beta levels, but that is not sufficient to determine the actual risk.

Source: “Second Opinion,” Mayo Clinic Health Letter, [April, 2024], page 8. 

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