DNA is an incredibly complex molecule that contains the genetic instructions for the development and functioning of all known living organisms. The discovery of the structure and function of DNA is considered one of the most important scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century. The intricacy and sophistication of DNA raises major questions about its origin and strongly suggests the existence of an intelligent Creator who designed it.
Let’s take a closer look at several key aspects of DNA that point towards creation:
The enormous amount of information in DNA
DNA is often described as the code of life. This is because it contains detailed instructions for making proteins, the molecular machines that carry out the essential functions of cells. Just how much information is stored in DNA? The amount is staggering.
A single human cell contains over 3 billion base pairs of DNA. These base pairs contain the instructions to make around 20,000 different proteins. If you were to put all the DNA instructions in one human cell into English letters, it would fill 1000 books of about 1000 pages each! That’s an immense amount of specified complexity and information packed into an incredibly tiny package (your cells). Such vast amounts of functional information strongly point to an intelligent source.
DNA stores information in the optimal way
The way DNA stores information is optimally designed for stability, redundancy, error correction, and information retrieval. The double helix structure provides enormous stability while still allowing the molecule to unzip for replication or transcription. DNA employs a redundant genetic code so that errors can be detected and corrected. And the packaging and arrangement of DNA provides for precise access to specific segments of information.
All aspects of DNA reflect information optimized for storage, retrieval, and fidelity. This strongly points to an intelligent Designer rather than blind, unguided processes. As geneticist Michael Denton explains, “Although DNA is configured to store and translate information, this capacity derives not from the chemical properties of the constituent atoms of the DNA molecules, but solely from their sequence – the order in which the bases are arranged along the polymeric backbone.” (Evolution: Still a Theory in Crisis)
DNA contains assembly instructions
DNA doesn’t just contain random information – it contains precise assembly instructions for making incredibly sophisticated molecular machines within cells. As Michael Behe explains in Darwin’s Black Box, “The information contained in an English sentence or computer software does not direct the arrangement of physical matter. . . DNA, by contrast, directs the formation of proteins and sophisticated molecular machines.”
For example, DNA contains instructions for making molecular motors, automated proofreading and repair systems, and tiny power plants that convert chemical energy into mechanical work. Such molecular machines require multiple precisely-arranged components before any function is possible. This strongly suggests an intelligent Designer rather than undirected natural processes.
DNA information is multi-layered
DNA encodes information in multiple layers to govern the development and functioning of life. The sequence of nucleotide bases encodes instructions for making proteins as described above. But DNA also contains epigenetic information layers that govern which genes are expressed when and where in the body. For example, DNA is wrapped around histone proteins that can compress or expose genes based on chemical modifications. DNA methylation also plays a key role in regulating gene expression.
In addition, the 3D arrangement of DNA within the tiny nucleus allows genes to be expressed in precise locations and timings. Remotely controlling genes via looped DNA enable sophisticated gene regulation. All these overlapping layers of information point to an omniscient Maker able to engineer the whole system.
DNA functions as a language
Languages are by definition informational systems containing meaning and convention. DNA precisely meets this definition. The chemical letters A, T, C, G encode meaningful instructions written in a universal genetic code. Molecular machines can read these instructions and take precise actions. Codons specify precise amino acids while regulatory codes control when and where genes are expressed. DNA employs syntax and semantics just like human languages, pointing clearly to an intelligent author.
As information scientist Hubert Yockey explains, “The presence of message-bearing properties points strongly to an intelligent cause. The chemical properties of the DNA molecule cannot account for the information present in DNA, its meaning and function. . . There is only one known cause for the origin of meaningful information, and that is intelligence.” (Information Theory and Molecular Biology)
The extreme complexity of life
The living cell contains an automated digital code (DNA), reading machines to read that code (RNA polymerase), ribosomes to build proteins based on the code, machines to proofread and repair DNA mistakes, machines to build new strands of DNA, machines to package DNA, machines to unwrap and separate DNA strands, machines to aid in copying DNA, machines to transcribe DNA into RNA, machines to translate RNA into proteins, metabolic machines to produce energy, membrane machines to let certain molecules in and out of the cell, and much more. The degree of complexity, organization, and interdependence exceeds anything produced by human engineering and can only reasonably be attributed to divine engineering ingenuity.
DNA was fully formed at the beginning
DNA did not evolve piece by piece over millions of years. An evolutionary path to DNA does not even exist in principle. This is because the genetic code functions as an integrated whole. It cannot be simplified or reduced without total loss of function. Even a simple cell requires the tightly integrated information system within DNA to be present from the very beginning. The integrity of the code depends upon extraordinarily complex machinery already being in place to regulate, replicate and translate it.
Natural selection cannot operate until complex coded information is already present to build the first cell. Thus, the code itself points strongly to an intelligent Designer who instantiated it intact from the beginning. In coding theory terms, DNA reflects a top-down design rather than a bottom-up development over time.
The origin of genetic information
Evolution has no adequate explanation for the origin of genetic information. The highly complex specified information within DNA points toward an intelligent cause. As information theorist Hubert Yockey explains, “the information contained in a living cell knows no natural explanation or mechanism.” (Information Theory and Molecular Biology). Attempts to invoke simple physical or chemical necessity cannot begin to explain the origin of complex genetic programming.
Natural selection assumes replication with inheritable variation already exists. It cannot account for the origin of replication and variation. Thus the most foundational information system known is more consistent with instantiation by an omniscient Creator than undirected natural causes.
Irreducible complexity
Molecular machines within cells exhibit irreducible complexity, meaning they require all parts to be present and working together from the very start before any function is possible. Random mutations gradually adding new parts over time cannot produce irreducibly complex systems because the incipient stages have no function and offer no selective advantage.
For example, molecular motors such as the bacterial flagellum require a stator, rotor, bushings, U-joint, drive shaft, propeller, control circuitry and more for any function. Gradual evolution of this system is biochemically untenable. The coherent integration of multiple components in molecular machines evident throughout the cell reflects evidence of a supremely skilled Creator rather than an unguided evolutionary process.
Specified complexity
William Dembski describes “specified complexity” as exhibiting an independently given pattern or specification that is complex and not easily replicable by chance. DNA contains extreme specified complexity far exceeding threshold levels probabilistically attainable by chance. The information within DNA meets the formal criteria of a clear design inference rather than an inference to natural causes.
Highly complex DNA instructions to build molecular machines combined with logical organization and sequencing necessary for function preclude random mutations filtered by natural selection as a reasonable explanation. Instead the evidence strongly indicates an intelligent Cause able to visualize and engineer the entire system.
DNA functions like a software program
Computer programs contain lines of code written in programming languages that give instructions to computer hardware. The instructions direct the computer to perform complex functions. Similarly, DNA contains coded instructions written in a biochemical language directing the cell to perform many complex biological functions. Software programs require an intelligent designer. The evidence strongly indicates DNA also requires an Intelligent Designer rather than mere physicochemical causes.
In addition, computer languages employ several levels of hardware abstraction hiding details from higher levels. This allows higher level instructions to describe operations without needing to know implementation details at lower levels. Intriguingly, DNA also exhibits hierarchical abstraction layers. The digital DNA code describes proteins sequences without needing to understand biochemical details of translation machinery. This reflects sophistication in system design pointing to an Intelligent Creator.
DNA is optimized for design
Optimization naturally results from intelligent design but not from undirected processes like mutation and selection. Systems designed by engineers are inevitably optimized for efficient operation. Studies have found evidence of optimization in biological systems. For example, researchers discovered genes are arranged along the chromosome in precise order to minimize crosstalk and energy cost of expression. DNA clearly exhibits top-down rather than bottom-up design.
The knowledge embedded in the genetic code to fabricate molecular machines and optimize biological systems reflects unmistakable hallmarks of intellect. It’s extremely difficult to reasonably attribute such genius to chance mutations. An omniscient divine Designer who constructed a superbly optimal code for life better accounts for the evidence.
DNA replication mechanisms
Reproducing a cell’s complete set of DNA instructions requires complex machinery functioning with amazing precision. Multiple polymerases move along the DNA double helix and replicate each strand. They perform error-checking and proofreading functions while detecting and removing mistakes. Without effective error handling, mutations would accumulate too quickly to maintain life.
Many other molecular machines unpack, unwind, separate, and package DNA strands during replication. The whole integrated system must be present from the very beginning for replication to work at all. The complex mechanisms underlying precise DNA duplication clearly point to an intelligent Creator rather than blind nature inventing DNA reproduction via trial and error.
Conclusion
In summary, a closer look at the structure, function, and information content of DNA provides compelling evidence for creation by an Intelligent Designer. Both the enormous complexity and the ingenious optimization evident in DNA point strongly toward an intelligent Cause. Attempts to explain the origin of information and integrated complexity in life via blind material forces do not stand up to scrutiny.
Upon examining the intricate instruction code instantiated within each cell, it is reasonable to conclude that life reflects the purposeful workmanship of a supremely Intelligent Creator. DNA resoundingly confirms what Scripture declares: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). This powerful molecule provides profound insights into the character and wisdom of the Lord who made us all.