Was the human appendix intelligently designed?

Question

I know, Jeff. But was it "intelligenly designed" as other parts of our bodies like lungs, heart, etc.? How intelligent of you

Seriously, why the hell would a designer make a godamned thing else but a piss poor one? The appendix functions too poorly, the "intelligent designer" wouldn't have created it.

Answer 1

Hhmm. The mighty appendix... is it powerful enough to bring an end to the Fairy Tales?

I love all the vague medical descriptions of it's possible function. Nearly all of the websites I've been to (that try to explain that the appendix is actually necessary) contain the same information. It has a "rich blood supply", and "is involved in the control of which essential bacteria come to reside...etc", also that it "produces significant volumes of dark-grey gooey stuff"... okay, I made that last one up.

But, it seems that there is only one source of information for all these websites. Not exactly exhaustive research.

Answer 2

Evidence of function
Today, the appendix is recognized as a highly specialized organ with a rich blood supply. This is not what we would expect from a degenerate, useless structure.

The appendix contains a high concentration of lymphoid follicles. These are highly specialized structures which are a part of the immune system. The clue to the appendix’s function is found in its strategic position right where the small bowel meets the large bowel or colon. The colon is loaded with bacteria which are useful there, but which must be kept away from other areas such as the small bowel and the bloodstream.

Through the cells in these lymphoid follicles, and the antibodies they make , the appendix is ‘involved in the control of which essential bacteria come to reside in the caecum and colon in neonatal life’. Like the very important thymus gland in our chest, it is likely that the appendix plays its major role in early childhood. It is also probably involved in helping the body recognize early in life that certain foodstuffs, bacterially derived substances, and even some of the body’s own gut enzymes, need to be tolerated and not seen as ‘foreign’ substances needing attack.
But if it has a function, why can it be removed without ill effects?
Our body has been brilliantly designed, with plenty in reserve, and the ability for some organs to take over the function of others. Thus there are a number of organs which everybody agrees have a definite function, but we can still cope without them. Some examples:

Your gall bladder has a definite function—it stores bile from the liver, and squirts it into the intestine as required to help with the digestion of fat. However, it can be removed and the body will cope—for instance, by secreting more bile continuously.

You can cope with having a kidney out, because there is still enough kidney tissue left in the other one. (In the same way, a part of the Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue, which includes the appendix, can be removed, and the remaining lymphoid tissue will usually be enough to carry on the total function). You won’t suffer from having your thymus out (if you’re an adult), because this extremely important gland, which ‘educates’ your immune cells when you are very young, is then no longer required. This is likely to be very relevant to the appendix.



Yes indeed it was Yuri

Answer 3

Funny...I was just reading about this! The appendix (along with the tonsils) is believed to have served a purpose at one point. However, as we evolved, our bodies did not need these organs for their original purpose. Scientist believe that these organs may be taking on new duties and may actually now be serving a purpose (but probably not their original one.)

Doesn't really answer the question....I just thought it was really interesting. I guess I would have to say it could have been intelligently designed. But it is very likely that it evolved into what it is now.

Answer 4

It actually was used to digest bones in our diet when we hate more raw meat. As out diets changed, the appendix evolved and became less important.

Answer 5

In cows, the appendix helps with digestions. In humans, it has become a vestigal organ. Further proof of evolution.

Answer 6

According to christians yes... I guess it was just designed to fail and be able to kill us but other than that serve absolutely no purpose what-so-ever. OH wait thats right we evolved!

Answer 7

Well, actually I think it does serve some purpose as I heard it holds rich blood supplies.

Answer 8

Yes. To most scientists it was thought that the appendix was useless but it has been found to be otherwise.

Answer 9

It gets the job done,unless yours is too small and you piss on your nuts

Answer 10

No.

But Down's Syndrome was.