As far back as Darwin’s unveiling of his theory of evolution, scientists have theorized about the possible relationship that exists between higher primates and human beings. It is widely accepted within the scientific community that all mammals can trace their origins back to a common ancestor that lived millions of years ago. Concerning human lineages, however, the family tree traces its way from this common ancestor directly through the great primates to modern man. In other words, much of the scientific community believes that human beings evolved directly from primates.
One popular line of evidence commonly presented to support this claim comes from the world of genetics. In fact, it is often stated that human beings share 98.8 percent of the exact same DNA as chimpanzees. But is this true? And if it is, what does it tell us about human origins?
In an article by Clarissa Brincat, published by Live Science, experts readily admit that the “cited 98.8 percent similarity between chimp and human DNA overlooks many differences in the species’ genomes,” and here is how. Both human and chimp DNA is composed of only four building blocks known as nucleotides: (A) adenine, (G) guanine, (C) cytosine, and (T) thymine, which combine to form strands of DNA such as ATGATC. . . The order of the nucleotides indicates the genetic code of the individual and dictates function. In comparison studies, scientists look for sections of DNA where there is a great deal of overlap. Once these overlapping sections are identified, comparisons are made between the sequences in both the chimp and human strands. It is within these long stretches of DNA that contain a significant overlap that there is a very high degreeofsimilarity,evenasmuchas the typically reported 98.8 percent. Researchers note that this means, on average, for each part of the human genomewherethechimpanzee sequence has a corresponding human DNA sequence, only one out of 100 nucleotides differs. Nevertheless, it is essential to note that this comparison is not of the entire genomesofchimpsandhumans,but rather of predetermined sections that are closely matched. It would be a huge shock if the comparison between these DNA sections did not show a very high degree of similarity. Quite simply, the comparison is prearranged and predetermined to be very high.
Comparing the whole genomes, as a recent study suggests, reveals that 15–20 percent of the chimpanzee and human genomes have no clear overlap. Consequently, it is more accurate to claim that humans share with chimps 80 – 85 percent of the same DNA, not 98.8 percent. While some mayconsider 15 – 20 percent of human DNA having no parallel in chimp DNA to be a small thing, the differences can have huge implications. When we think that all human beings share 99.9 percent of the same DNA among themselves, it is not hard to see how a 15 – 20 percent difference between human and chimp DNA can account for significant differences in expression. The point becomes clear when we consider the stark differences that are expressed between humans and pigs, even though we share 98 percent of the same DNA with them as well. In fact, humans share 85 percent of the same DNA with mice. It seems tome,accordingtoDNAcomparison numbers alone, humans are just as likely to have evolved from mice as from chimps. But, then again, we share 60 percent of the same DNA with bananas! Genetic researcher Katie Pollard says as much, noting “humans and chimps are made of essentially the same building blocks (proteins), but these are used in different ways to make a human rather than a chimp.”
Whatelsecanbesaid?Maybehuman beings have always had their own unique DNA sequences that werenottheproductofsomeaimless and random evolutionary force but were simply made that way. Maybe humanbeingshavealwaysjustbeen human beings, chimps have always been chimps, and bananas have always just been bananas. Based upon the reported percentages of shared DNA between chimps and humans, it’s not such a far-fetched conclusion. Interestingly, though not surprisingly Christians hold that God did indeed create chimps, mice, and bananas as separate, stand-alone species from the beginning of time. And that seems to be what we can determine from DNA comparisons with humans: beings who stand at the peak of the mountain. Maybe that is why the Psalmist praises God, saying, “You have made man a little lower than angels and crowned him with glory and honor” (Psalms 8:5).
Join us next time as we continue our exploration of the question: Is God dead?
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Ty B. Kerley, DMin., is an ordained minister who teaches Christian apologetics, and relief preaches in Southern Oklahoma. Dr. Kerley and his wife Vicki are members of the Waurika church of Christ, and live in Ardmore. You can contact him at: dr.kerley@isGoddead.com.