Living Light | The Institute for Creation Research
 
Living Light

 

 

A summer evening in the humid Midwest may reveal the flashing light of the friendly firefly. Such an enchanting display — called bioluminescence — is found throughout the biological world. "Ships sometimes leave a spectacular light show in their wake from billions of single-celled luminescent dinoflagelates" disturbed by its passing. The Brazilians railroad worm (larvae of the large beetle Phrixothrix) sports a pair of red spots on its head and a pair of green lights along the sides of the body. Glowing toadstools (Mycena) can be photographed by the light they emit — and in 1640, a woman in Montpellier, France, was startled to find a side of mutton glowing as it hung in her kitchen. Townspeople were mystified and presented the radiant meat — thanks to luminescent fungi — to the local prince. In 1986, scientists were successful in producing an amazingly bright-glowing tobacco plant using luciferase genes (DNA segments) from the firefly. In some countries, lanterns made of fireflies are used, and during World War II Japanese troops crushed tiny luminescent insects in order to read maps in the field. Perhaps Noah used such luminescence below decks in the Ark.

Biological luminescence (not the same as phosphorescence) is light produced by a complex chemical reaction within an organism. The chemical reaction producing this "cold" light involves at least two chemicals: luciferin which produces the light when oxidized; and an enzyme called luciferase that catalyzes the reaction.

Even Darwin singled out bioluminescence as something his theory couldn't account for. Yet in the ocean it's commonplace, states a secular science magazine.1

A Harvard biologist estimates that 75% of deep-dwelling animal species produce biochemical light.2

Many marine creatures use this essential light to find a mate, defend themselves against predators, or help them find food. Some shrimp have been created with color filters, reflectors, and accessory lenses!

The doubtful idea of convergent evolution (the development of similar structures in unrelated organisms)3 is used to describe how bioluminescence evolved as many as 30 different times in alleged evolutionary history. But for convergence to occur, just two lines of descent would have to make exactly the same random choices at many hundreds of different genetic steps. In addition, current research indicates phenotype convergence doesn't imply genotype convergence. Convergence, rather, is solid evidence for creation, similarity of bioluminescence is evidence of a common Designer. A Belgian evolutionist named Rees feels he may have a key to how bioluminescence evolved using circumstantial evidence, yet the origin of the key molecule, called coelenterazine (luciferin + luciferase + photoprotein), remains a mystery to modern science.4

_____________________________
1. Marchant, Joanna, "First Light," New Scientist, July 22, 2000, p. 34.
2. Trombly, Jeanne, "Cast a Cold Light," Funk & Wagnalls 1995 Science Yearbook, p. 54. 
3. Major Evolutionary Blunders: Convergent Evolution Is a Seductive Intellectual Swindle | The Institute for Creation Research (icr.org)
4. Haddock, S., et al., "Can Coelenterates make coelenterazine?" PNAS, Sept. 25, 2001, p. 11148.

 

 

 

 

Cite this article: Frank Sherwin, D.Sc. (Hon.). 2003. Living Light. Acts & Facts. 32 (1).

The Latest
ACTS & FACTS
Continuous Environmental Tracking : An Engineering-Based Model...
Purpose The Institute for Creation Research is engaged in our biggest science initiative in the last two decades, and it could be our most important...

ACTS & FACTS
CET: Testing the Cavefish Model
Staff Writer Purpose The Institute for Creation Research (ICR) is testing an engineering- based model of rapid biological adaptation called...

ACTS & FACTS
Original Biochemistry in Fossils
Purpose In 1997, paleontologist Dr. Mary Schweitzer accidentally stumbled upon what appeared to be blood vessels and blood cells from a T. rex...

ACTS & FACTS
Debunking an Iconic Uniformitarian Ice Age Theory
Purpose The Milankovitch, or astronomical, theory holds that the timing of Ice Ages is controlled by slow changes in Earth’s orbital and...

ACTS & FACTS
ICR and Explaining the Ice Age
by Larry Vardiman, Ph.D., and Michael J. Oard, M.S.* Purpose There is strong geological evidence for an Ice Age, so the Institute for Creation...

ACTS & FACTS
Planetary Magnetism
Purpose In 1971, Dr. Thomas Barnes publicized a then “trade secret” of scientists studying the earth’s magnetic field, which...

ACTS & FACTS
Cosmology Research
Purpose Taking the Hebrew text of Scripture at face value without inserting gaps or revising the meanings, the universe is only about 6,000 years...

ACTS & FACTS
The Coconino Sandstone: Water, not Wind
Purpose The Coconino Sandstone is one of the most well-known formations in Grand Canyon. The blond-colored sandstone, just three layers down from...

ACTS & FACTS
Global Stratigraphy Supports a Progressive Worldwide Flood
Purpose Is there geological evidence for a global flood? Is there evidence that the waters rose and peaked on Day 150 as recorded in Genesis 8?...

ACTS & FACTS
Human-Chimp DNA Similarity Research Refutes Evolution
Purpose An oft-repeated claim of evolutionary propaganda is that the DNA of chimpanzees and humans is 98.5% identical. This high level of DNA...