Leading Biochemist Says Chimp Genome Project is Seriously Flawed
"What we are seeing here is a scientific shell game," says Dr. Fazale Rana, internationally respected biochemist and one of the world's leading experts in origin of life research.
NEWS ADVISORY, Sept. 2 2006, /Christian Wire Service/ -- Internationally respected biochemist and one of the world's leading experts in origin of life research, Fazale "Fuz" Rana, PhD, is available for comment on the validity of the conclusions from the Chimpanzee Genome Project.
"The sequencing of the chimpanzee genome is a tremendous accomplishment, but what we are seeing here is a scientific shell game," says Dr. Rana. "Researchers are manipulating the outcomes to try and show more similarities between chimps and humans than are actually there by focusing on a single type of genetic difference. When scientists take into account all the types of genetic differences and do a more global comparison, the similarities drop from 96% to about 85%.
"The completed chimpanzee genome affirms that there are significant genetic differences between humans and chimps. For example, numerous independent studies indicate that the gene expression profiles of the human and chimpanzee brains are radically different and likely account for the significant biological and behavioral differences that exist between humans and chimps.
"When researchers conclude that humans and chimps shared a common evolutionary ancestor 6-7 million years ago, they are assuming that hominids in the fossil record are the transition that led to modern humans. The fact is that the hominid fossil record fails to provide the necessary support to validate that conclusion.
"There is a large body of evidence that severs the evolutionary connections between humans and hominids like Neanderthals, Homo erectus, and 'Lucy'. Instead of furthering the case for human evolution, the recent insights into the chimpanzee genome actually make more sense from a creation perspective. There are astounding genetic and archeological evidences that support the biblical account of Adam and Eve now more than at any time in human history."
Fazale Rana, Ph.D. is the vice president for science apologetics at Reasons To Believe (www.reasons.org) Dr. Rana earned his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Biology and Biochemistry at West Virginia State College and his Ph.D. in Chemistry at Ohio University. He was twice winner of the Clippinger Research Award at Ohio University. Dr. Rana worked for seven years as a senior scientist in product development for Procter & Gamble before joining Reasons To Believe. He has published more than fifteen articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and delivered more than twenty presentations at international scientific conferences. Origins of Life: Biblical and Evolutionary Models Face Off is Dr. Rana's first book. His newest title, Who Was Adam?: A Creation Model Approach to the Origin of Man is due to release in September '05. For more information visit the Reasons To Believe website at www.reasons.org.
