- Series:Plants, Transcript English
Job 42:2
“I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.”
According to those who believe that all living things are a result of evolution, life evolved from simple to complex. Plants, which are simpler than animals, are believed to have evolved before animals. When we started learning about the genetic codes of living things, it was expected that plants would have simpler genetic codes than complex living things. This is turning out not to be the case.
Almost 300 researchers completed their work in 1999 to learn the exact DNA sequence of two of the five chromosomes of the wild mustard plant. They learned that chromosomes #2 and #4 of the plant have almost 8,000 genes. By contrast, human chromosome #22 has only 550 genes. To be sure, humans are more complex than the wild mustard plant. But, researchers say, the wild mustard is definitely more complex than animals such as worms and flies! Scientists point out that the reason for the unexpected complexity is that while worms and flies can only adapt to limited environmental conditions and remain worms and flies, the mustard plant can adapt to a great range of conditions and produce very different types of plants.
These findings strike two blows to evolution. Plants can be genetically more complex than some so called “highly evolved” animals. Second, this genetic complexity is wisely designed to give plants greater adaptability in a wide range of conditions. Our Creator designed the DNA code with purpose; He certainly did not let it develop by chance.
Prayer:
Lord, I thank You because all of Your loving purposes are fulfilled. Amen.
Notes:
“Chromosomes show plants’ secret complexity,” Science News, 12/18 25/99, p. 389. Photo: Winter Cress, a variety of mustard plant. (PD)
