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Pseudogenes and Origins

Pseudogenes are DNA sequences that resemble functional genes but seem to have no purpose. The presence of similar eta globin pseudogenes in humans and chimps has been used as an argument for common ancestry of the two species.

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A Christian Approach to Biology

The philosophical context in which biology is presented can make an important difference in its meaning for the student. The philosophical worldview of the biblical Christian is quite different from that of the non-Christian; thus, the biology teacher may have a profound influence on the development of worldview by the student.

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An Interventionist Theory of Natural Selection and Biological Change within Limits

This paper proposes that mutation and natural selection can produce biological change, but are not sufficient to explain the origins of biodiversity and complexity. Instead, the authors argue that genetic complexity is the result of intelligent design, and was at a maximum when life on Earth first came into being. Published in Origins v. 20, n. 2.

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Resurrection of the World

Survival on earth seems bleak as the environmental crisis worsens. Amidst the destruction, how should Adventists respond to the environmental crisis? Creation and incarnation dominate Christian understandings of ecology. However, I think that a third theological theme, the Resurrection, best illuminates the relationship of Christianity to the environment.

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Adventists and the Good Earth

If we take the view that we are transients in an alien community, then our interest in the long-term welfare of the community will tend to be limited. If we see ourselves as fully embedded in a complex web of life, as an integral part of God's creation, and as responsible stewards of that creation, then our response to challenges such as the environmental issue will take on a distinctly different character.

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Annotations from the Literature

A collection of short commentaries on scientific papers published in 1992-1993, covering topics such as biogeography of southern trees, Permo-Triassic stratigraphy, dendrochronology, endothermy in fish, genetics of cranes, genetic code variants, gene conversion, bivalve extinctions, magma mixing, extraterrestrial impacts, tillites, flood basalts, effect of transposon in floral development, convergence, hybridization in fish, molecular systematics, origin of life, soft-tissue preservation, banded iron formations, graptolites, fossil whales, dwarf mammoths, Archaeopteryx, and dinosaurs.

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Sociobiology: The Evolution Theory's Answer to Altruistic Behavior

Evolution theory is based on competition and struggle for survival, but some animals act in a way that favors reproduction of other individuals and reduces their own competitive status. The theory of sociobiology wants to explain this altruistic behavior as having a genetic basis, so that individuals with the gene tend to help other individuals with the same gene,.This maintains the gene in the population. The idea that human behavior is genetically determined is controversial. Published in Origins v. 19, n. 2.

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Annotations from the Literature

A collection of short commentaries on scientific papers published in 1991, covering topics such as Permian trees, molecular genetics, epigenetics, inheritance of paternal mtDNA, water and formation of petroleum, water in mantle rocks, impacts, Ordovician volcanism, molecular phylogenies of ratites, termites, cichlids and sabertooths, osteocalcin in dinosaur bones, fossil flowers, origin of life, Precambrian predation, stromatolites, Cambrian Explosion, quality of fossil record, rapid speciation, tree biogeography, Miocene ape, fossil dermopteran, Asian marsupial, dinosaurs, mammal-like reptile. Published in Origins v. 19, n. 2.

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Annotations From the Literature

A collection of short commentaries on scientific papers published in 1992, covering topics such as gene conversion, paleosols, magma mixing, molecular evolution, paleoecology, Precambrian algae, Cambrian explosion, conodont fossils, fossil birds and bird tracks, fossils, and taphonomy. Published in Origins v. 19, n. 1.

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Creation Holding Its Own

A recent survey shows about 9% of the population accepts the viewpoint of naturalistic evolution, about 40% accept divinely guided evolution, about 47% accept a recent creation of humans, and about 4% registered they don't know. These results are nearly the same as a similar survey taken three years before. Published in Origins v. 18, n. 2.

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Progressive Creation and Biblical Revelation: Some Theological Implications

The purpose of this essay is to examine the intellectual roots and the current status of the discussion concerning progressive creationism and to identify and evaluate eight theological implications of affirming the presence of death for millions of years prior to the appearance of humans in the geologic column. Published in Origins v. 18, n. 2.

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Environmental Education: Teaching Stewardship to College Students

Adventist colleges have long promoted a wholistic education. For this reason they have been committed to combining liberal arts and ethics. Including environmental education in this curriculum can make a significant contribution to shaping the sensitivities of young Christians.

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Species on Islands: Evidence for Change

In the early development of the theory of evolution by natural selection, two men stand out as having played a central role: Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace. Both men traveled widely and were keen observers of nature. For both men, visits to islands played an important role in developing their understanding of nature. Darwin's visit to the Galapagos Islands is of special interest.

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Annotations from the Literature

A collection of short commentaries on scientific papers published in 1989-1990, covering topics such as end-Permian extinction, fossil plant DNA, phylogenies, Triassic paleobiogeography, fossils, dinosaurs, science, radiocarbon dating, rift lake cichlids, fossils out of sequence, and mass extinction patterns. Published in Origins v. 17, n. 2.

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Annotations from the Literature

A collection of short commentaries on scientific papers published in 1989, covering topics such as philosophy of science, mantle plumes, molecular clock, plant phylogeny, paleobiogeography, fossil reptile, Ediacaran fossils, rapid change in birds and insects, rapid oil formation, molecular evolution, population bottleneck in Drosophila, and mass mortality of sea urchins. Published in Origins v. 17, n. 1.

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Annotations from the Literature

A collection of short commentaries on scientific papers published in 1997, covering topics such as Darwin's finches, teleology, exon shuffling, flood geology, origin of life, dinosaurs, theistic evolution, radiocarbon dating, fossil invertebrates, and monotreme chromosomes. Published in Origins v. 16, n. 2.

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Punc Eq Creation Style

Most punctuated equilibria theories explain why proposed exceptions tend to be in the Upper Cenozoic. Punq Eq Creation Style, however, not only predicts the stasis and abrupt appearance of species, but it also predicts that exceptions will be found in the Upper Cenozoic among forminifera. Because of its greater explanatory power, PECS teoyr is superior to other PE theories. Published in Origins v. 16, n. 1.

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Annotations from the Literature

A collection of short commentaries on scientific papers mostly published in 1986-1987, covering topics such as amino-acid dating; creation, evolution and design; Cretaceous mass extinction, Blind Watchmaker, genetic bottleneck, slot machines and mutations, God and Nature, biogeography of marsupials, salamanders and ostriches; and a fossil climbing mammal. Published in Origins v. 14, n. 1.

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Annotations from the Literature

A collection of short commentaries on scientific papers publised in 1986, covering topics such as Australopithecus, Cretaceous extinction, carbon-14 dating, molecular clocks, kiwi egg size, Darwin's mistakes, rapid change in snails, fossil birds, limits of science, tarsiers and presuppositions, source of European sandstones, chromosomal speciation, convergence and the giant panda. Published in Origins v. 13, n. 2.

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Which Vertebrates Make Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is important in vertebrate physiology, but is acquired in different ways. Some mammals and perching birds do not synthesize it and must get it in their diet. Most other mammals and birds synthesize vitamin C, in their kidneys, the livers, or both. The pattern of synthesizing sometimes follows taxonomic patterns and sometimes not. Published in Origins v. 12, n. 2.

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