How do fundies explain the sudden formation of new viruses like the AIDS virus in the '80's?

Question

I mean if evolution doesn't occur on the scale of creating new species, then where did it come from?

Answer 1

They claim: Virus evolution and micro evolution have been proven, but Macro evolution has not. Then they say what evidence. Then they say they trust the word of God in Genesis 1:26-27 and Genesis 2:7.

Non-Fundamentalist Christians interpret those verses as metaphor

Answer 2

1) A virus isn't a "species"--it's technically not even a life form (but does have certain characteristics of life)

2) We absolutely allow for variations within kinds of creatrues, like various viruses can gain dominant characteristics; spaniels, wolves, and coyotes are all dogs; etc.

3) Variations within kinds of animals does not "prove" that "evolution" from "amoeba to me" occured.

4) How do you know that "the AIDS virus" wasn't around before the 1980's, and we just really learned how to classify it?

5) There's a group of people in the scientific community that believe that the "AIDS virus" isn't the cause of AIDS at all but is simply classified that way so they can get government funding to do research (I'm not saying I belileve that, but it is a school of thought)

6) If "macro-evolution" does occur, why did it take all these billions of years for the "AIDS Virus" to get here?

Answer 3

The origin of AIDS

As one of the leading AIDS researchers in the southern hemisphere, Dr Ian Macreadie was in a position to comment about viruses. He said:

‘I actually don’t believe God created viruses as separate entities, I believe they were a part of the DNA in cells. Some evolutionists put viruses down as a predecessor of cells, but that doesn’t work, because they need to have the machinery of cells to reproduce. I actually see viruses as genetic garbage, having escaped from cells way back, as a result of mutation, environmental damage—part of the Curse on creation [Genesis 3]. I would predict from that theory that we should find pieces of “virus” DNA in the human genome (DNA). And that’s starting to be found.’

A virus, being not much more than a packet of DNA, could jump from being hosted by one species to another. So did AIDS emerge from green monkeys, as one often hears? Ian replied:

‘The simian immunodeficiency virus in African green monkeys is certainly the closest thing to the AIDS virus, but we really still don’t know. It’s interesting—you’d think if we were so smart about man’s alleged evolutionary origin, we’d be able to pick where this recently emerged virus came from.’

Molecular biologists have made some awe-inspiring discoveries, but how much is really known? Ian told us that all of the 6,000 genes in the DNA of a ‘simple’ yeast cell have now been mapped out. The function of only about half of these is known, he said, but probably less than 5% would be known in terms of a full understanding of the 3–D structure of the resultant protein (the molecule that is coded for by a particular gene). He said:

‘Interestingly, you can have all the components together, but you can’t yet create even a yeast cell, which has only a fraction of the genes of a human cell. Even with all the people working on it today, it has, so far, defied complete description—it’s just amazingly complex.’

Answer 4

Dear BC,

Thank you for the great question. I have heard it explained that the AIDS virus, though it adapts, it remains the AIDS virus, therefore no evolution has occurred. Much like when a child gets the measles, he can no longer get the measles, but he is still the same child.

It is my understanding that forensic science has placed the first known AIDS fatality at 1956.

Embrace the Grace,

Answer 5

Fundies are not interested in any change from the statise quo. To me it seems that they are only interested in things that will further their agenda and don't really care about the rest of humanity unless there is some kind of belief system they wish to force on some part of the population. I'm sure thy would like you to",just go back too your job and quit thinking so much"

Ormus

Answer 6

It is not clear that viruses are living creatures.

Furthermore, Viral evolution could be validly viewed as a sub-set of micro*evolution. IOW, formation of a new virus does not demonstrate macro*evolution (creation of a new body plan, or a new complex organ, or a new complex organ system).

Cordially,
John

Answer 7

Everyone knows that the AIDS virus was a mutation of the simian (ape) AIDS virus. In apes, the virus does nothing to them but when it mutated and crossed over to men, men died. Therefore, the AIDS/HIV virus is not a new species.

Answer 8

The AIDS virus evolves WHILE it infects a person. Thats why it has not been possible to create a vaccine or cure.. Every person has their own constantly evolving version of the virus.

Fundies are not very bright.

Answer 9

We are in the end times, virus,(many older than man and never seen) will be on us.
In short you have seen nothing yet!

Answer 10

They say god was punishing gays. Wonder how it got to good Christians?