When a creationists says that mutations cannot add information...?

Question

what do they mean by "information"?

Answer 1

The process of mutation and selection is observed to increase information and complexity in simulations (Adami et al. 2000; Schneider 2000).

increased genetic variety in a population (Lenski 1995; Lenski et al. 1991)

increased genetic material (Alves et al. 2001; Brown et al. 1998; Hughes and Friedman 2003; Lynch and Conery 2000; Ohta 2003)

novel genetic material (Knox et al. 1996; Park et al. 1996)

novel genetically-regulated abilities (Prijambada et al. 1995)

Answer 2

Creationists say that, without explanation...simply because it is what they have been spoon fed and eagerly swallowed. It supports their crutch. They have a vested interest in purporting this sort of false psuedo-science.

What they think they mean is that mutations are simply changes in what is already there, instead of an actual change. They do not understand the processes of adaptation, mutation and genetics. Mutation often duplicates the DNA many times, changes the genetic code and the result is new information (a new species).

Answer 3

I've asked the same question more than once. I haven't really gotten a response yet.

I'm not really sure where this idea comes from. It's pretty obvious that mutations add information all the time.

1) Take old genetic information.
2) Duplicate it through transcription.
3) Change it through mutation.

Voila! New information!

Answer 4

The DNA molecule is much like a computer program. It contains information that produces a certain result. The information in DNA determines a variety of things in organic beings. This would include your eye color, hair color, body type, etc.. Information cannot spring up spontaneously, or come from matter or energy, information can only come from a greater source of information. Much like a computer program, it had a programmer, computer programs do not spring up on their own, they had a programmer. Mutations do not add information, they may alter what is already there or lose information, but they never add information. Here is a portion of a piece on mutations.

"Mutations point back to creation. Mathematics and genetic load are huge problems for evolution, but the biggest reason mutations cannot lead to evolution is an extremely simple one. It’s so simple, I’m almost afraid to say it. But really, mutations presuppose creation. After all, mutations are only changes in genes that already exist.

Most mutations are caused by radiation or replication errors. But what do you have to have before you can have a mutation? Obviously, the gene has to be there first, before the radiation can hit it or before it can make a copying mistake. In one sense, it’s as simple as that: the gene has to be there before it can mutate. All you get as a result of mutation is just a varied form of an already-existing gene, i.e., variation within kind.
Genes of the same kind, like those for straight and curly hair or those for yellow and green seeds, arc called alleles. There are over 300 alleles of the hemoglobin gene. That’s a lot of variation, but all those alleles produce hemoglobin, a protein for carrying oxygen in red blood cells (none better than the normal allele). By concept and definition, alleles are just variants of a given gene, producing variation in a given trait. Mutations produce only alleles, which means they can produce only variation within kind (creation), not change from one kind to others (evolution).

To make evolution happen—or even to make evolution a scientific theory—evolutionists need some kind of “genetic script writer” to increase the quantity and quality of genetic information. Mutations are just “typographic errors” that occur as genetic script is copied. Mutations have no ability to compose genetic sentences, and thus no ability to make evolution happen at all."

For the full piece, which is too long to post, check out this link:

http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/cfol/ch2-mutations.asp

Answer 5

I don't think the term is rigorously defined, so it's hard to say.

From what I understand, they're saying that a mutation only rearranges DNA molecules rather than adding new molecules onto the end of a DNA strand. Since DNA contains information, this somehow means that information cannot be added.

Answer 6

They are basically saying that evolution could not have occurred. Say that evolution is correct. The first amoeba organism would have had to contain all of the DNA necessary to create all of the species on the planet. When something mutates, it loses something in the genetic code or the genetic code is in an incorrect order. You cannot ADD information to the genetic code, it is all there already.

Answer 7

Creationist are under the misconception that evolution is driven by mutation. Evolution is all about the survival of the offspring of two successful parents. It is the mixing of genetics through sex that drives evolution.

By adding information they mean creating more complex DNA code.

Answer 8

Noah's Ark, 2 of each variety. the basics of the story, yet how do get numerous species from 2 of a variety. it rather is thru mutations from imperfect reproduction of genes. it rather is a faux impact of ways you will replace all the animals lost interior the flood. it rather is all a rely of ways you interpret what you're examining. in reality technological know-how helps extra of the story then it disputes it. And the information is 4,000 years previous and written long earlier technological know-how had any theory what a gene mutation become.

Answer 9

The only definition that cannot be refuted is divine encoding.

Increased genetic content has been demonstrated.
Novel sequences have been demonstrated.
Increased mRNA transcripts have been demonstrated.
Increased function has been demonstated.

Everything that can be defined as information in Information Theory has been demonstrated, but they keep throwing out that assertion.

Answer 10

mutations that scientists use as "evidence" usually just scramble data "a six legged cow e.g." of erase data "a three legged cow e.g." never adding anything to make a kind of animal a different kind "a dog has never produced a non dog" but i do believe that the dog the wolf and the coyote had a common ancester, but they can still mate and have a mix if that helps