Wednesday’s Daily Science Update comes from Dr Jeffrey Tomkins, who claims that “Newly Discovered Human Brain Genes Are Bad News for Evolution.” Well, he would take the contrary view to the other news coverage on this study: see, for example, “The humanity switch: How one gene made us brainier” in the New Scientist for an example of the other.
Posts Tagged ‘DNA’
16 May
Point Mutation
In a previous career, Brian Thomas was once a high-school biology teacher. I believe I’ve already expressed my horror at that.
His latest article – Single Mutation Makes Melanesians Blond – doesn’t help. There are, at my count, at least two HS biology concepts that the article suggests he is completely ignorant of. Let’s go look:
10 May
How Old are Polar Bears?
You’ve probably heard the news: Polar bears have been around a lot longer than we thought. “About 600 (338 to 934) thousand years” in fact. The research used to determine this involved molecular clocks, however, which has prompted an article by Brian Thomas: Circular Reasoning in Polar Bear Origins Date. Brian has incorrectly accused scientists of this fallacy before – what is it this time?
14 Dec
Those Soft Tissues
The Daily Science Update for Tuesday was Skin Sample Is Two Million Years Old? In it we have a return to the topic of soft tissues which were so popular back in July. Back in July, along with a number of DpSUs on the subject, Mr Thomas created a list of “Published Reports of Original [...]
2 Sep
Godly Viruses
From the Creationist perspective, why are there bad things in a world that was created perfect? The standard answer to this is “the fall.” One problem with this is that it still doesn’t explain anything scientifically, just theologically. Today Brian Thomas of the ICR heroically charges into the mess to attempt to clear up how [...]
27 Aug
Late To The Party: Historical Adam
As you may be aware, a few weeks ago there was a great furore about the possibility that some evangelicals may have “come to their senses” on the subject of whether or not Adam and Eve actually existed. This was what, two, two and a half weeks ago now? The eternally late Institute for Creation [...]
19 Aug
Once More Unto the Breach (Or Close it with Butterflies)
This is what, three in a row? Brian Thomas again shows his ignorance of Natural Selection. Today, “Butterflies Mimic Other Species with ‘Amazing Supergene’”. At least there’s nothing wrong with the title, but that’s the only silver lining here…
10 Aug
Homo (sapiens?) neanderthalensis
Some weeks back it was announced – in the words of Jennifer Viegas of Discovery News, to take an example at random – that “All Non-Africans Part Neanderthal, Genetics Confirm.” The “confirms” part referring to the ongoing discussion about whether or not humans and Neanderthals bred with each other. Before now it was merely “thought,” [...]
