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Louis Pasteur's Views on Creation, Evolution, and the Genesis Of Answers Research Journal 1 (2008): 43–52. www.answersingenesis.org/contents/379/Louis-Pasteur.pdf Louis Pasteur’s Views on Creation, Evolution, and the Genesis of Germs Alan L. Gillen, Professor of Biology, Department of Biology and Chemistry, Liberty University, 1971 University Boulevard, Lynchburg, VA 24502 Frank J. Sherwin III, Science Editor, Institute for Creation Research, 1806 Royal Lane, Dallas, TX 75229 “There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow.” Ecclesiastes 1:11 (NIV) Abstract In past years revisionist historians have been rewriting the worldview of Christians who have made some of the major discoveries in biology and medicine. It appears that postmodern revisionists are rewriting history to support their agenda of a more “secular” explanation to science. The Judeo- Christian worldview is not politically correct in most universities. This is true in regard to past scientists such as Louis Pasteur who believed in creation. According to reliable, primary sources such as René Vallery-Radot, Pasteur’s son-in-law, Pasteur’s unique view and application of operational science gave him a significant advantage, benefiting mankind in a number of critical areas. Shortly after Darwin published On the Origin of Species in 1859, Pasteur began to challenge the idea of spontaneous generation—the foundation of the evolutionary view on the origin of life. Pasteur’s simple, but elegant swan-necked flask experiments not only put to rest the organic life-from-non- life idea, but also set the foundation for the law of biogenesis: life only comes from life. The genesis of germs in hospital patients were the result of microbes having parents, not a result of spontaneous generation. This revolutionary idea would have application in many areas of medicine. It forms the basis of sterilization, asepsis in surgery, and the germ theory of disease. Pasteur had the uncanny ability to combine theoretical, operational, and applied science—the mark of a truly gifted scientist. Pasteur understood the variability of microbes and how he could apply this principle in vaccine preparation. For example, he noticed that Bacillus anthracis cultures sometimes lose their pathogenic ability when heated, and then retain this modified, nonvirulent, or “attenuated” trait through many generations. He applied this concept to vaccinate dozens of sheep that would have otherwise died at a critical time in France. His understanding of this natural variation was also successfully applied in developing vaccines for chicken cholera and rabies. Although his scientific pronouncements were sometimes abrasive to his fellow scientists, he remained firm in his convictions, borne from painstaking research. Pasteur had a strong religious and humanitarian spirit. He firmly believed in God, as the Creator of all living things. From his knowledge of the Gospels, he wanted to benefit mankind by having his ideas used to “heal the sick.” Keywords: Louis Pasteur’s faith, creation microbiology, spontaneous generation, biogenesis, genesis of germs, operational science, history of anthrax vaccine Introduction history continues to be altered by politically correct We are in danger of losing the remembrance revisionist historians. This article challenges the of noble-minded biologists with a creation secular historian’s efforts to rewrite the life, beliefs, worldview through whom God poured out scientific and discoveries of Louis Pasteur, in particular, his achievements. Indeed, the memories of man’s past views on origins, the Christian faith, and his work discoveries in all fields are soon forgotten unless on spontaneous generation as it relates to the germ we are reminded. Many people are familiar with theory. Although we have consulted over twenty-five the name Louis Pasteur (fig. 1) and his amazing biographies, we have focused on primary sources and accomplishments in pasteurization, vaccination, and quotes, with many references over eighty years old. the germ theory of disease. Yet, few know the details The most extensive biography of Louis Pasteur of his early life regarding the spontaneous generation was by his son-in-law, René Vallery-Radot. The first controversy, or his religious faith. In recent years, biography of Pasteur was written by Vallery-Radot in Pasteur’s view on evolution and God’s creation have 1883, under Pasteur’s direct and close supervision. been openly challenged. The movement to revise This first book was in effect Pasteur’s ghostwritten history in America is hardly surprising as Western autobiography. (At this point in his life, he was civilization has become increasingly hostile regarding partially paralyzed and needed assistance on many its Judeo-Christian roots. In an alarming trend, tasks.) The details of this book are believed to be the ISSN: 1937-9056 Copyright © 2008 Answers in Genesis. All rights reserved. Consent is given to unlimited copying, downloading, quoting from, and distribution of this article for non-commercial, non-sale purposes only, provided the following conditions are met: the author of the article is clearly identified; Answers in Genesis is acknowledged as the copyright owner; Answers Research Journal and its website, www.answersresearchjournal.org, are acknowledged as the publication source; and the integrity of the work is not compromised in any way. For more information write to: Answers in Genesis, PO Box 510, Hebron, KY 41048, Attn: Editor, Answers Research Journal. 44 A. L. Gillen and F. J. Sherwin III been revived, on the basis of laboratory experiments. (Vallery-Radot 1959, p.68) This reflection differs from the eyewitness account of his father (René). Otherwise, the accounts are parallel. Louis Pasteur’s calling was to investigate God’s creation and to help mankind through his discoveries. Let no one claim that faith in God is a detriment to science! Pasteur said, “The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator.” In his last famous speech, he says: You young men—doctors and scientists of the future—do not let yourselves be tainted by apparent skepticism; nor discouraged by the sadness of certain hours that creep over nations. Do not become angry at your opponents, for no scientific theory has ever Fig. 1. Portrait of Louis Pasteur (1822–1895). He is been accepted without opposition. Live in the serene considered by many to be the Father of Microbiology and the one who developed the germ theory of disease. peace of libraries and laboratories. Say to yourselves, first, “What have I done for my instruction?” And as most accurate of any book written about Pasteur. you gradually advance, “What am I accomplishing?” Vallery-Radot’s eyewitness account of Pasteur offers Until the time comes when you may have the immense rare glimpses of his motivations, family life, faith, happiness of thinking that you have contributed in and compassion. René Vallery-Radot frequently some way to the welfare and progress of mankind. mentions Pasteur’s love of science and his desire to (Vallery-Radot 1901, vol.2, pp.297–298) heal the sick, in addition to his genius in scientific At first glance, Pasteur’s achievements seem to matters. This biography would later be expanded to a two-volume set—still the most extensive biography Table 1. Louis Pasteur and his major milestones in ever written on Pasteur. microbiology. Later, Pasteur Vallery-Radot, Louis Pasteur’s Year Milestone in Microbiology grandson, wrote several books that provide personal biographical information. These books include 1822 Birth of Louis Pasteur in Dole, France Discovers crystal rotation of polarized light to eyewitness accounts by people who knew Pasteur 1844–1848 when he was a child. René offers more details and the right and left Shows lactic acid formation in milk and butter is greater accuracy, but René’s son, Pasteur Vallery- 1857 due to bacteria Radot, writes in an easier, more engaging style. Pasteur Vallery-Radot is easier reading, but he is less 1861–1864 Disproves spontaneous generation familiar with eyewitness details of his grandfather’s 1862 Elected to the Academy of Sciences life. In most details of Louis Pasteur’s private and 1864 Invents pasteurization for wine and other foods personal life, the books are in agreement. Since both 1867 Helps Joseph Lister develop aseptic surgery authors are family, they convey a personal touch in Publishes his studies on the diseases of 1870 the scientific life of Louis Pasteur. Each of their books silkworms is worth reading. However, by the 1950s Pasteur 1873 Elected to the Academy of Medicine Vallery-Radot’s books speculate that his grandfather’s 1877 Propounds the germ theory of disease view on the origin of life would allow for the one-time Discovers immunization against chicken 1879 “spontaneous generation” of life (like Stanley Miller’s cholera, using attenuated bacteria experiment). Successful experiment of vaccinating sheep 1881 One should not lose sight of the fact that Pasteur, against anthrax though he demonstrated that spontaneous generation Awarded the Grand Cross of the Legion of 1881 never occurs in a culture medium, did not consider Honor it altogether impossible, and he often expressed this 1882 Elected to the Academie Francaise view. As we have seen before, he himself had dreams Successfully tests his first vaccine against 1885 about creating or modifying life; thus he sought, rabies on Joseph Meister by means of asymmetric forces, to break down the The Pasteur Institute succeeds in producing 1894 barrier that separates mineral matter from the vaccine for diphtheria organic products of nature. In fact, only recently the Death of Louis Pasteur at Saint Cloud (near 1895 argument for the spontaneous generation of life has Paris), France Louis Pasteur’s Views on Creation, Evolution, and the Genesis of Germs 45 be a miscellaneous assortment of discoveries (table this way he opened up a number of paths allowing 1). They in fact form a cohesive whole, in which one others to further the progress of science.
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