The Myth of Junk DNA
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Description
According to the prevailing view of Darwin's theory, an organism's DNA contains a blueprint for embryonic development that is inherited from one generation to the next. This blueprint is executed by proteins encoded in the DNA, and random mutations in the DNA sequence introduce variations in these proteins, which are then refined by natural selection into new species, organs, and body structures. However, the discovery forty years ago that nearly 98% of human DNA does not code for proteins led to the labeling of this non-coding portion as "junk DNA," supposedly the result of molecular accidents that accumulated over time. Proponents of Darwinian evolution, including Richard Dawkins and Francis Collins, have long cited this "junk DNA" as evidence for their theory and against intelligent design, arguing that a designer would not have intentionally filled the genome with useless material. Yet, recent findings from genome research reveal that much of our non-coding DNA actually performs vital biological functions. In his book, The Myth of Junk DNA, biologist Jonathan Wells challenges this outdated notion, presenting compelling evidence from recent genome projects to demonstrate that the idea of "junk DNA" is more myth than science.
Maintained by The Apologist Project.
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