The Chimpanzee Genome and the Problem of Biological Similarity
Todd Charles Wood
Occas. Papers of the BSG No. 7, pp. 1-18
©2006 BSG.
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| Abstract |
Evidence for the great similarity between chimpanzees and humans was
recently reinforced with the publication of a rough draft of the
chimpanzee genome. The sequence is in >361,000 pieces with a median
length of 15,700 nucleotides. The sequence differs from the human
genome by 35 million nucleotide mismatches (1.23%) and 10 million
alignment gaps (~3-4%). Rather than attempting to explain this
similarity, I here propose principles that can guide creationist
research in this area. I find that creationist genomics requires three
important theories that still need to be developed before fruitful
research can commence. The first need is a theory of biological
similarity. The level of similarity observed between the human and
chimpanzee genomes cannot be adequately explained simply by the will of
the Creator, unless a theory can be developed to explain why
the Creator would will such similarity. The most promising candidate
for explaining biological similarity is a modified form of ReMine's
message theory. The second greatest need for interpreting genomes is a
theory of the genome, particularly its importance and biological
function. The third need is a better understanding of baraminology and
historical development of organisms.
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