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Feedback archive → Feedback 2008 Laminin, Atlas moths, and ‘gay’ brainsThis week we feature three short enquiries, two friendly and one hostile. The first is from Jean P of Western Australia and relates to the laminin molecule. The second is from CV of Canada, about the Atlas moth. And the third, from GB of Indonesia, is about the ‘gay brain’. Andrew Lamb responds. 
Laminin Image by Vanessa Fitzgerald The ‘cross-shaped’ laminin molecule
Dear Jean What your friend said seems to have been conflated from two different scientific concepts. Tears are liquid solutions, so contain no crystals. Indeed, they are a great design feature, but this has nothing to do with any crystals—see The design of tears: an example of irreducible complexity. But there is a glycoprotein called laminin, an adhesion molecule that is an essential component of the membranes that support cells in most animal tissues, including in the eyes. We have received several enquiries about laminin recently, probably due to the cross-shaped diagrams being circulated or promoted by various Christian individuals and organisations, with a message likening the way this molecule holds cells together with the way Christ holds creation together. Laminin molecules are often portrayed as cross shaped, with straight limbs, but this form really only occurs in formalised diagrams. In the messy world of biological reality, laminin molecules have crooked limbs that are generally bent this way and that, quite unlike the rigid crosses used by the Romans for crucifixion. And in some diagrammatic representations of laminin, the ‘arms’ of the cross, i.e. the B-chains (see diagram) are actually not drawn at right angles to the A-chain. There are over 100,000 human proteins, and there are many in which a cross-shape could be perceived, should one have the inclination to see them that way. Our scientists do not consider the cross-shaped conceptual representation of laminin to have value as an apologetic argument. While Jesus really does hold everything together (Colossians 1:17), He has done so from the beginning of creation and does so now—off the cross! There are many inconsistencies in the worldview of evolutionists, and their concern over species going extinct, despite their faith in evolution’s ability to produce endless new kinds of organisms, is a good example. [Although to be fair, we should cite the argument that the 'selection pressure' of human activity is being applied at a rate far too high for evolutionary adaptation to be able to cope. In short, they would claim that species are going extinct too quickly for new ones to have time to evolve to replace them--Ed.] For more on this, see Earth Day: Is Christianity to blame for environment problems? 
The Atlas moth, whose wing pattern strikingly resembles a cobra’s head. (click on picture to see a larger image) Photo by Robert Perry The Atlas moth
Dear C We appreciate your encouraging feedback and we are thrilled to hear of the positive effect on your faith of our magazine item ‘More on moths’ Creation 30(1):5. Here is a copy of that Atlas moth photo. Creation magazine articles usually appear on our website about one year after publication in the magazine, so ‘More on moths’ should appear online early next year. Our Amazing Fossils booklet contains colour photos of modern fossils (of hats etc.), long stalactites in modern mines, and opal growing in a jar. A glance at these photos can instantly dispel the false notion that such things need many thousands of years to form. See also the photos in the articles listed in our ‘fast fossils’ section. 
‘Born that way? But dude, I want to change!’ (Illustration by Vanessa Lamb and Tim Newcombe) The ‘gay’ brainIn view of the latest scientific research into understanding homosexuality. See link: [deleted in accordance with our feedback rules.]6 Should this and further research move toward “Definitely made in Mum”, then who do we burn God or Mum, and who contributed the biological matter that caused the “Distortion” Mum or Dad ? And how do we direct and maintain our prejudices against Gay people at large, if this turns out to finally explain the phenomena of gay people through the ages Dear G There exist hundreds of ex-gays now living happy fulfilled lives as married heterosexuals. This proves that sexual orientation is not 100% genetically predetermined. Numerous powerful and heartfelt testimonies of sexual lifestyle change have been published by Exodus International, Homosexuals Anonymous, Parents & Friends of Ex-Gays, and other ex-gay organisations. The article you referred to reported on similarities between the brains of homosexual men and heterosexual women, and implied that people cannot control their own sexual orientation. But the fact that two features, A and B say, are associated, does not necessarily mean that A causes B. It could be that B causes A or that they are unrelated at all. Scientists are learning that the human brain is incredibly plastic, with the ability to rewire itself, for example, and for the functions of damaged parts of the brain to be taken on by other parts of the brain.1 Homosexuality involves complex social behaviour, and complex social behaviours tend not to have single discrete causes. I.e. there is unlikely to be an ‘infidelity gene’, an ‘alcoholism gene’, a ‘murder gene’ or a ‘homosexuality gene’—see Evolution made me do it! People living a homosexual lifestyle tend to suffer much greater rates of spousal violence2 , substance abuse3 , disease4 and suicide5 than other groups (for more distinctions, see Gays were not created that way). If we really care about someone, we will want them to experience the best they can with their life, and homosexuality is far from best, in many measurable ways. We all have our own susceptibilities to particular sins, but Jesus can provide the help we need to overcome sin in our lives. See also Handling the barrage of homosexual half-truths: Resisting strategies that try to make us compromise God’s Word. 
Subscribe to Creation Magazine Keep your family informed on the latest easy-to-understand evidences for creation and against evolution! This unique full-color family magazine gives God the glory, refutes evolution, and gives you the answers to defend your faith. Exciting articles and great witnessing material you won’t find anywhere else! Includes a beautifully illustrated full-color children’s section in every issue. Delivered to your home every three months. Further reading
Related resources
The Creation Answers Book The new and updated Creation Answers Book provides biblical answers to over 60 important questions that everyone wants to know on creation/evolution and the Bible! Not only does it answer your own questions, but equips you to effectively respond to those that resist the Gospel due to worldly teaching on origins. This important work is a ‘must have’ for anyone’s library! Includes answers to over 60 of the most-asked questions in the following 20 categories: Does God exist? Six days? Really? What about gap theories? What about carbon-14 dating? How can we see distant starlight in a young universe? What about arguments for evolution? How did bad things come about? Who was Cain’s wife? Were the ‘sons of God’ and/or the ‘nephilim’ extra-terrestrials? Was the Flood global? What about continental drift? What about all that water? How did all the animals fit on the Ark? How did fresh/saltwater fish survive? Where are all the human fossils? How could animals get to places like Australia? Were there really ice ages? How did the different races arise? What about dinosaurs? What can I do? 
By Design Today, the ‘intelligent design’ movement is capturing headlines (and igniting controversy) around the world. But in the process, many are coming to think that a credible challenge to the dominant Darwinian naturalism of our time means backing away from a clear stand for the truth of the Bible. Now creationist heavyweight Jonathan Sarfati challenges this mindset head on. (High School–Adult) 260 pages. References
Published: 30 August 2008(GMT+10) |