Facts for Biotic Theories
From ResearchID.org
Major Facts for Biotic Theories and especially their origins, are important to evaluate competing biotic theories. Following are major facts by which to compare how intelligent design and atelic evolution describe existing data, predict biotic function and their origins, and give practical guidance to practioners working with biotic systems.
The biochemical information, genetics, glycobiology
- 1.1) Abiogenesis of self reproducing cells.
- 1.2) DNA and genomic biochemical information, nucleosome position codes, and cytogenetics.
- 1.3) Error correcting protein synthesis from essential amino acids.
- 1.4) Selective protein folding and DNA compaction. E.g. histones, chaperone molecules.
- 1.5) Cell division, accurate replication, and apoptosis.
- 1.6) The glycoprotein code using at least eight essential sugars.
Biochemical function, growth and change.
- 2.1) Enzymatically directed biochemical pathways.
- 2.2) Micro regulation in biochemical processes.
- 2.3) Homo-chirality in biomolecules and biomacromolecules. e.g., proteins & sugars
- 2.4) Formation of organelles within the cell.
- 2.5) The distribution of heritable diseases in migrating populations.
- 2.6) The distribution of haplotypes in present migrating populations.
- 2.7) The correlations of diseases and dysfunctions with mutations.
- 2.8) Scale independent properties, allometric scaling, & symmorphosis.
Growth and function of biological systems with complex body parts.
- 3.1) Genesis of self reproducing cells for complex body systems.
- 3.2) Regulation of biochemical growth in macro complex body systems.
- 3.3) Autonomic regulation of essential oxygen, CO2, ionic & energy concentrations, water & food.
- 3.4) Multiple discrete organs and lateral symmetry.
- 3.5) “Tree” structures in nervous, vascular and pneumatic systems.
- 3.6) The immune system.
- 3.7) Symbiotic macro biological systems.
- 3.8) Contingency designs, redundancy, robustness, & regeneration.
Energy flows in biochemical systems.
- 4.1) Conversion of physical to controlled biochemical energy.
- 4.2) Centrality of controlled biochemical energy conversion in biochemical processes.
- 4.3) The existence and function of biochemical motion systems.
- 4.4) Biochemical complexity in light of the laws of thermodynamics.
Material flows in biochemical systems.
- 5.1) Cell and macro membranes.
- 5.2) Material flows through membranes.
- 5.3) Micro and macro biochemical transport
Appearance of design and systematics in biochemical systems
- 6.1) Structure of senses of vision, hearing, touch, taste, smell and balance.
- 6.2) Micro machines including the flagella.
- 6.3) Similar features among different species.
- 6.4) Irreducibly complex systems.
Communication and Thought
- 7.1) The brain capable of storing, copying, comparing and processing information.
- 7.2) Speech and language.
- 7.3) Facial communication of emotion.
- 7.4) Nervous system capable of transmitting dynamic information.
Geology & Paleontology
- 8.1) Sudden appearance of biological information e.g., the Cambrian “explosion.”
- 8.2) Correlation of fossil features across geological strata.
- 8.3) Impact of composition of archaean atmosphere on life.
Quantitative Details & Visualizations
For quantitative details, see: Catalog of Fundamental Facts For visualizations, see: Micromachines
Background
Demarcation criteria such as testability or falsifiability are being thrown about to evaluate Intelligent Design vs Evolution. Stephen Meyer shows how all such demarcation criteria fail, especially when addressing origin theories. See: Stephen Meyer, The Scientific Status of Intelligent Design: The Methodological Equivalence of Naturalistic and Non-Naturalistic Origins Theories. Instead of demarcation criteria, Meyer proposes:
A rational historical biology must not only address the question: Which materialistic or naturalistic evolutionary scenario provides the most adequate explanation of biological complexity? but also the question: Does a strictly materialistic evolutionary scenario or one involving intelligent agency or some other theory best explain the origin of biological complexity, given all relevant evidence?
Per Meyer’s proposals, what are the major issues that need to be explained and which can be used to direct the formation and comparison full theories of Intelligent Design vs Evolution, including MacroEvolution?
- 1) In comparing Evolution and Intelligent Design, what criteria are most important in evaluating which origin theory best explains biological complexity?
- 2) What features of biological complexity are relevant to distinguish between a strictly materialistic evolutionary scenario or one involving intelligent agency or some other origin theory?
- 3) Which theory provides practical guidance in the day to day practice of biology, biochemistry, and bioinformatics etc?
Bibliography
The following publications were drawn on for these criteria:
- Casey Luskin, The Positive Case for Design
- Jonathan Wells, Ten Questions to Ask Your Biology Teacher about Evolution
- William Dembski, Ten questions to ask your biology teacher about design
- William Dembski, The Design Revolution
- Howard Glicksman, Exercise your wonder
- Michael Behe, Darwin’s Black Box
- C. B. Thaxton, W. L. Bradley, and R. L. Olsen, The Mystery of Life's Origin: Reassessing Current Theories. New York: Philosophical Library, 1984.
