evolution?
John Queen (john.queen.ii@mail.utexas.edu)
Wed, 16 Apr 1997 15:30:21 -0500
Forum:
RNA catalysis was discussed in a recent chemistry graduate course. Many
believe that RNA served as a catalyst from which usefull components for
life were made including DNA. After reviewing the literature we found that
this area has all but been abandoned by researchers because of the lack of
results under controlled conditions. While discussing the topic of
evolution with the class our teacher admitted that while there are alot of
ideas behind evolution, from a Chemistry standpoint the mechanisms are not
there. In other words, the house is built, but when it comes down to the
nuts and bolts of how it was built there is no explanation or idea that
makes sense. This is when the ideas are scrutinized as any other chemical
reaction or process. (by the way the prof believes totally in evolution but
admits there is no know mechanism explaining it).
Since this is my first contribution to this forum I would like to tell a
story about myself reguarding evolution and open up a second issue for
dicussion. In my high school biology class I was taught about evolution.
Early into the discussion I noticed that the Theory of Evolution was never
mentioned in our book as a theory and my teacher never said it was a
theory. It was apparent to that there needed to be a little more proof
before evolution was called a LAW. However, she didn't call it a law, it
was just "evolution". Why the special treatment.? (Poor Einstein, not to
long ago we found that small particles with half-lifes exist longer when
excellerated at high speeds. However, this part of Einsteins work isn't a
law it's a theory. ) Then why can't evolution be put in it's place, a
hypothesis or theory.
While studying Chemistry at Louisiana State University I ran into the same
situations. Chemical Profs are willing to spare evolution thier brilliant
thinking(beleiving it whole-heartedly) while analyzing relatively simple
chemical mechanisms with a critical eye.
I graduated with a degree in chemistry from LSU in 1995. I am currently
working on a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Texas at Austin. My
area of study is tissue engineering.