Geoff Robinson Interviews Fazale Rana about The Cell's Design (page 2) Q: How does your book use, go beyond, etc. irreducible complexity? A: In many respects, Behe pioneered the biochemical case for intelligent design in Darwin's Black Box. In The Cell's Design I continue the journey started by Behe, and hopefully make the biochemical case for intelligent design that much more pronounced. Though compelling, irreducible complexity does not necessarily represent an iron clad case for the intelligent design of biochemical systems. Many skeptics feel that they have an objective basis for rejecting Behe's argument. Even though Behe does an admirable job responding to his critics, many remain unmoved. Their objections motivated me, in part, to write my book. Irreducible complexity stands as just one of an ensemble of biochemical features that individually and collectively evince design. In The Cell's Design I attempt to go beyond irreducible complexity and communicate the full range of amazing design features that characterize life's chemistry and use them to extend the biochemical case for intelligent design. By looking at the weight of evidence, I hope to convince the reader that it is not a single piece of evidence that points to intelligent design at the biochemical level. Rather, it's the collective body of data. While skeptics may not be impressed by the irreducible complexity of biochemical systems, I hope that they will respond differently to a growing collection of evidence that points to the same conclusion-a supernatural basis for life.
Q: Could you give an example of some of the design patterns we find in the human cell and how they support your thesis? A: One of the things I find absolutely mind-boggling is the recognition that the salient characteristics of biochemical systems are identical to those features we would immediately recognize as evidence for the work of a human designer. In The Cell's Design I argue that the close match between biochemical systems and the artifacts produced by human designers logically compels the conclusion that life's most fundamental processes and structures stem from the work of an intelligent agent. For example, biochemists have discovered that many of the proteins that operate in the cell function as molecular-level machines. Remarkably, many of these molecular machines bear an eerie resemblance to man-made machines replete with drive shafts, cam shafts, turbines, clamps, lever arms, bushings, stators, and rotors. As I argue in The Cell's Design, these discoveries re-invigorate William Paley's Watchmaker argument. The production of these molecular machines resembles a manufacturing process with the proteins produced in an assembly-line fashion. I find it astounding that the manufacture of proteins employs quality control checkpoints at key points in the process. (For a preview of the chapter that discusses this in The Cell's Design check out this link, www.cellsdesign.com.) Even though the biomolecular pathways responsible for protein synthesis are well-designed, mistakes inevitably creep into the operation because of the inherent nature of chemical and physical processes. This makes quality control procedures necessary. Biochemical quality assurance further highlights the remarkable ingenuity that defines the cell's chemistry and reinforces the conclusion that life has a supernatural basis. Effective and efficient quality control procedures don't just happen. Rather, intentional foresight characterizes them. Sound quality control systems require careful planning, a detailed understanding of the manufacturing process, the product, and the way that the product will be used. All of these features are evident in the quality control activities in the cell. In protein biosynthesis, the placement of quality assurance checkpoints occurs at strategic stages in the production process in a way that ensures reliable protein production while generating manufacturing efficiency. The close correspondence between the quality control operations designed by human engineers and the quality control procedures found in the cell strengthens the biochemical intelligent design analogy. In this context, the cell's quality assurance systems logically compel the conclusion that life's chemistry emanates from the work of a Divine Engineer. Protein production is also a chicken and egg system. Proteins are needed to produce proteins. Chicken and egg biochemical systems add to the biochemical intelligent design analogy. Human designers and engineers frequently face chicken and egg problems. These problems can only be resolved by the strategic and simultaneous implementation of interdependent components. In like manner, the biochemical chicken and egg systems must have come about through the work of a Creator. |
