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Book Review: "Nature's Destiny: How the Laws of Biology Reveal Purpose in the Universe" by Michael J Denton

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Book Review: 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 biology reveal purpose in the universe" by Michael J Denton Ewan Ward Avondale College Follow this and additional works at: https://research.avondale.edu.au/css 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, Evolution: 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, 34 research.avondale.edu.au/css/Vol7/4 Published by ResearchOnline@Avondale, 2007 1 Christian Spirituality and Science, Vol. 7 [2007], Iss. 1, Art. 4 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 organisms (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 biochemistry) 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 35 https://research.avondale.edu.au/css/vol7/iss1/4 2 Ward: Book Review 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 organism, 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 36 Published by ResearchOnline@Avondale, 2007 3 Christian Spirituality and Science, Vol. 7 [2007], Iss. 1, Art. 4 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.
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