A Fascinating Parasite - Creation Moments

Genesis 1:31
“And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”

Does anyone like the parasitic worm Schistosoma? It causes a disease called Schistosomiasis, which affects the urinary tract or the intestines, causing painful diarrhea among other conditions. In children, it can cause growth and learning problems. Schistosomiasis is often called snail disease. Certain freshwater snails can be infected by this parasitic worm, and that is how it can get to humans.

The life cycle of the schistosoma is very complex. It undergoes no fewer than seven different stages in its cycle, some of which occur inside the snail. Butterflies have three stages – including the egg. What are we to make of a worm with seven forms? This highly complex organism clearly could not have evolved into such a complex system. Everything about its life cycle suggests that it is highly designed. Neither evolutionists nor deep-time old earth creationists can figure out how the schistosoma could develop such highly specialized systems.

And yet, such a creature would, on the face of it, seem to cause a problem to creationists. Would God really have created such an organism that can cause such suffering to other creatures, especially to people?

Clearly, God did not make this worm that way. It makes sense that, somehow, the life style of a parasite must have once been beneficial to its host – a symbiotic relationship. Since the Fall, its good properties have mutated so that it now causes harm. Schistosoma shows elements of godly design and sin-caused degeneration. Only creationists have such a rational explanation.

Prayer: As we think about such unpleasant parasites, we ask You, Lord, to give strength and wisdom to medical missions, seeking to bring relief to areas where such diseases abound. And send forth Your Gospel of Salvation, we pray. Amen.

Author: Paul F. Taylor

Ref: Gurney, R., What About Parasites?, Creation 31(3):34–37, June 2009. Image: Public Domain.