Christian Spirituality and Science Issues in the Contemporary World

Volume 7 Issue 1 Design and Providence Article 4

2007

Book Review: "Nature's Destiny: How the laws of reveal purpose in the universe" by Michael J Denton

Ewan Ward Avondale College

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Recommended Citation Ward, E. (2007). [Review of the book Nature's destiny: How the laws of biology reveal purpose in the universe, by M. Denton]. Christian Spirituality and Science, 7(1), 34-38. Retrieved from https://research.avondale.edu.au/css/vol7/iss1/4

This Book Review is brought to you for free and open access by the Avondale Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Science at ResearchOnline@Avondale. It has been accepted for inclusion in Christian Spirituality and Science by an authorized editor of ResearchOnline@Avondale. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Ward: Book Review

Book Review

“Nature’s Destiny: How the laws of biology reveal purpose in the universe.” By Michael J Denton Dr Ewan Ward Faculty of Science and Mathematics Avondale College

his is Michael Denton’s second from molecules to galaxies is uniquely Tbook, a follow up to his earlier tuned and perhaps programmed for thought provoking book, : one purpose, the development of A Theory in Crisis published in1986, carbon based life with mankind as its where Denton dealt with difficulties eventual climax. associated with the chemical ori- By way of introduction Denton gin of molecules required for the looks at the basic physical forces biochemical evolution of the cell and behind the fabric of the universe subsequent problems connected with including gravity, electromagnetism, contemporary evolutionary theory as weak and strong nuclear forces. As an explanation for life on this planet. noted by others, the strength of these Nature’s Destiny examines the fitness forces varies over many orders of (for carbon based life as we know it magnitude. Gravitational forces are on this planet) of a wide variety of weak compared to strong nuclear essential factors. These factors range forces allowing the universe to be from the carbon atom to the very the size that it is and permitting the challenging idea that man is uniquely development of stars and galaxies. adapted for the use of fire, argued by If these forces were other than what Denton as the essential ingredient for they are, the universe may have the development and advancement been too small (and existed only for of technology. Denton revisits the a very short period of time) or have evolutionary discussion suggesting not have existed at all as the matter that given the complexity of the cell composing stars and galaxies would and its constituents, organic evolu- never have formed. Nuclear forces tion would have to be the result of are just what they should be to allow some kind of directed program rather the development of the wide range than a consequence of random undi- of different atoms necessary for the rected processes. The complexity of development of complex molecules organs such as eyes and lungs argues whose structures must coordinate in against current undirected Darwinian the production of the living cell; fine evolutionary mechanisms. Denton tuning beyond comprehension! concludes that the entire universe,

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He examines a range of fundamental tuned for just this purpose. For entities such as the carbon atom, the instance, its chemistry enables it to water molecule, light, gases etc that form biology’s required compounds contribute either directly to the fab- in precisely the temperature range at ric of (not only in terms which water is a fluid. The ready for- of their structure, but also in terms mation of chemical bonds between of their required ) or carbon, hydrogen and oxygen allows the environment in which they live. for the existence of an almost unlim- Water is composed of molecules that ited variety of molecules known as impart to it very unique properties hydrocarbons, lipids, proteins and that if different in any way from what carbohydrates that make up not only we observe, would have made life the structure of cells, but also serve impossible. Water’s unique thermal as the molecules that supply the cell properties allow for maintenance of with energy during metabolism. It body temperature by evaporation. It is the relative ease with which bonds has low viscosity allowing for easy form between these three atoms and flow in biological systems and the the combinational varieties of the re- ability to dissolve and permit dif- sultant molecules that is reflected in fusion of molecules within it, upon the diversity, richness and adaptabil- which all biochemistry depends. ity of life on earth. Other molecules Water has a high surface tension such as the gases oxygen and carbon facilitating the production of drop- dioxide are also uniquely fit for their lets and concentration of molecules role in life’s process. Oxygen is needed for the development of life. highly reactive but has low solubil- Denton argues that the very density ity in aqueous solutions; it is trans- of water permits us to be the size we ported and manipulated by protein are. If it were heavier we would not molecules containing iron and zinc be upright bipedal humanoids, but atoms allowing it to participate in only a fraction of our size—and as the intricate biochemical reactions of Denton suggests, we would never cellular life in a very controlled way. then be able to handle fire. Our size Carbon dioxide, the end product of uniquely fits us for this activity. Like many biochemical reactions com- water, light is uniquely tuned for bines with aqueous solutions such as such diverse processes as photosyn- blood, acting as a control of acidity, thesis and vision; the atmosphere buffering the body’s fluids while absorbing out the harmful radiation returning to the lungs for excretion emitted by the sun allowing life to only then to be used as atmospheric flourish on this planet. carbon dioxide by green plants re- plenishing the earth’s oxygen and The humble carbon atom, the basic glucose supply. building block of all life is uniquely

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His discussion turns to the fitness components of cellular biochemis- of biological macromolecules such try, without which there would be as DNA and protein and other es- no life. All molecular interactions sential molecules necessary for the in the cell are mediated by unique construction and operation of the three dimensional interactions and fundamental life unit—the cell. as Denton rightly points out, the These macromolecules are enormous basic α helix of protein structure is assemblages of carbon, hydrogen uniquely fitted for interaction with and oxygen atoms arranged with the major groove in the structure of such precision allowing for distinct the helical DNA molecule. These biological sense, function and pur- tuned structural interactions allow pose. DNA, the molecule of heredity, for recognition of base sequences in the blueprint molecule of life has the DNA needed for a host of metabolic ability to replicate with the aid of activities including the control of protein molecules whose synthesis gene expression and DNA repair it directs. The replication of DNA following chemical damage. is essential for cell division that life And what of the fitness of the cell might propagate and flourish. DNA itself? Composed of a great variety is uniquely tuned for this purpose, its of carbon-based three-dimensional long double helical strands separat- molecules, the cell is a self-replicating ing along a line of weak hydrogen membrane bound molecular factory bonds allowing for the reading of a found in various forms and in vari- literal chemical language, the order ous degrees of differentiation and of its nitrogenous bases (adenine, specialisation in all organisms. The guanine, cytosine and thymine) and membrane is made of fluid lipids, reproducing this order in newly self-sealing and selectively perme- synthesised molecules. able to the multitudes of molecules DNA is found as the same struc- it encounters. The membrane is ture in all life, differing only in the also capable of communication with amount and order of bases. The other cells via the specialised protein order of these bases is the genetic molecules acting as receptors and code for that , directing signal transducers found floating in its cellular biochemistry and deter- its sea of lipids. mining its structure. Ordered base Advancing several orders of magni- sequences dictate the order of amino tude from the cell, Denton considers acids in protein molecules which in man himself. What unique attributes turn determine their three dimen- are displayed by Homo sapiens and sional structure and function. The how do they relate to man’s interac- proteins are the micro-machines of tion with the cosmos? Orchestrated the cell, the most basic operational

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and organised from this staggering nerve conduction limiting the size array of macromolecules making of organisms with respect to agility up the cells of the body comes and the size of man’s organs as all man, as Denton suggests, uniquely uniquely tuned components neces- fit to explore and comprehend the sary for the function of man. universe in which he dwells. The He also addresses the question of unique adaptations of man include whether the fitness for life observed intelligence, language, the hand, in atoms, molecules and macromol- vision, a unique upright stance ecules composing the cell then lend and sociability. Language allows themselves to some form of directed the communication of ideas (the evolution particularly when the hallmark of intelligence); the hand complexity of life with respect to the and vision allow coordination of staggering array of interacting sub- complex practical tasks including systems is considered. Is there an in- the manipulation and exploration built generative program explaining of his environment. Denton points the development of life on earth? As out that only a social creature could an extension of the thesis of his first develop advanced technology. He book, Denton finds it hard to accept explores the interesting concept that that life could develop without gen- interaction between the optimal size erative laws guiding the assembly and upright stance of humans is of carbon-based molecules into the uniquely suited to manipulate and many self-replicating systems seen in use another unique property of the the cell. He asks if life’s origins are interaction between carbon-based so apparently “built in” (with respect molecules and oxygen—fire. Denton to his ‘fitness for life argument’ at a argues that fire allowed technology chemical and molecular level), then to advance via metallurgy and the the biologists ‘tree of life’ may also development of tools and that only be “built in” (in more recent times mankind’s size and bipedal form this concept has been referred to as allowed him to manipulate and convergence, where independently control fire. Denton suggests that evolving biological systems find the smallest sustainable fire is only the same solution for a given need about 50 cm across and an organ- or requirement, for example, the ism smaller than man, for example independent development of intel- the size of an ant or even small dog ligence and tool-making in different would have difficulty in manipulat- species).1 This would necessitate ing this precious resource. Denton some form of directed evolution- also discusses the contractile power ary process in comparison to an of muscles, the fine control between undirected process that would be neurones and muscles, the speed of challenged to produce the myriad of

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complex life forms around us. Thus his second book almost as a recant of Denton envisages the existence of life his first. However, his second book as the result of a directed evolution- is truly an extension of Evolution: A ary process based on the incredible theory in crisis. As a scientist, Denton set of coincidences necessary for its has explored the insurmountable origin and development. Indeed, problems associated with chemical Denton would suggest that man- evolution and the development of kind is the goal and purpose of the life on earth. He has addressed the universe. Adding to his arguments (the fitness for in favour of directed evolution is the life argument), which surprisingly complexity of interacting systems has been overlooked by many in the and subsystems covering the depth diversity of the of biochemical, anatomical and movement. Denton’s conclusions physiological integration observed are that given the complexity of life in living organisms. While not al- within the framework of the ‘tree luding directly to current arguments of life’, Darwinian evolution as an of intelligent design, Denton follows explanation is found wanting and a similar reasoning. The sheer inte- something more is needed; for Den- grative complexity of any organism ton this is directed evolution. Science from basic chemicals and biochemi- moves quickly and the faster it seems cals through to macromolecules such to move, the greater the complexity as DNA and protein underpinning it discovers in the natural world. the resultant anatomy and physi- Scientific explanations must move ology of an organism challenges and quickly adapt just to keep up. contemporary Darwinian evolution Design, the anthropic principle and theory. Denton investigates such the concept of directed evolution challenges when complex systems advocated by Denton all would be such as eyes, avian lungs and brains in harmony with the overriding are considered. He argues that these concept of an intelligence behind remarkable structures and adapta- the universe. tions present evidence for something Reference more than Darwinian processes. 1. Simon Conway Morris, Denton concludes that such a long “Darwin’s Compass: How chain of events that lead to the devel- Evolution Discovers the Song opment of life on this planet can only of Creation” The 2005 Boyle Lecture (http://www. be considered as an overwhelming stmarylebow.co.uk/?Boyle_ set of coincidences that is evidence Lecture). of the anthropic principle. Some have expressed disappointment with Denton’s arguments and see

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