\doc\web\99\12\random.txt
Date forwarded: 	Fri, 20 Aug 1999 08:58:02 -0400 (EDT)
From:           	"Patterson, Ron" <Ron.Patterson@msfc.nasa.gov>
To:             	upstream-list@cycad.com
Date sent:      	Fri, 20 Aug 1999 07:56:30 -0500
Subject:        	[Upstream] The Great Misunderstanding
Forwarded by:   	upstream-list@cycad.com
Send reply to:  	upstream-list@cycad.com


> From: 	Gregg Farrier[SMTP:tapeprod@mindspring.com]
> 
> The simplest form of life should have at least 600 different protein
> molecules contained in it. The mathematical probability that only one
> molecule could form by the chance arrangement of the proper sequence of
> amino acids is far less than 1 to 10 to the 450th power. Gregg in
> Liberty, S.C.
> > 
The great misunderstanding of creationists is that elements had to combine
"randomly" to create more complex molecules. Elements NEVER combine
randomly. If elements combined willy-nilly then there would be just as
much O2H on this planet as there is H2O.


Under certain conditions elements will ALWAYS bond together to form higher
molecules. For instance oxygen and hydrogen will always bond together to
form water if enough heat is present. Raw elements, under any given
condition, will ALWAYS favor certain bonding patterns over others. It is
NEVER random.


Amino acid is a "monomer, i.e., a single group of atoms acting as a whole
molecule. Amino acids have been created in the laboratory simply by
combining all the necessary atoms in a beaker, with an excess of H2O of
course, and applying heat and then applying an electrical spark through
the resulting vapor. The same conditions and elements were present in the
early seas and atmosphere.


The fact that amino acids have been created in the laboratory, simply by
duplicating the conditions of the early earth, should have silenced the
creationists and their "randomness" ploy. But it is too great a selling
point with the scientifically illiterate, so we continue to hear this
silly error over and over and over.


Ron Patterson
>    
>