Wind Of Change
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Scientific predictions emerge as a logical necessity from scientific theories. Scientists use these predictions to evaluate the validity of a scientific theory. If the experiments and observations fulfill the predictions of the theory, then scientists consider the theory to be appropriate. If the experiments and observations do not match the predictions, then the scientists are required to reformulate the theory or abandon it. In conclusion, successful scientific theories have explanatory power and prophetic power.
This is why biologists see the theory of evolution as a valid explanation for the history of life.
In contrast, the evolutionary paradigm has not yet adequately explained key events in the history of life, such as (1) the origin of life, (2) the origin of the phylum, (3) the origin of the reproductive system, (4) the cause of the great sociocultural explosion and human uniqueness and ( 5) The origin of consciousness. The theory of evolution also suffers from failed predictions, as a recent study by a team of geoscientists at the University of Georgia showed.(1)
Nudibranch
Researchers from the University of Georgia have characterized the neural circuits involved in the swimming behavior of nudibranch. These creatures were used as an ideal model of research on neural circuits because their nervous systems are made up of relatively large neurons. The neural circuits of these creatures are simple and easy to map. In addition, the neural circuits of nudibranch regulate simple behaviors. These features make it easy to characterize and then, control the neural circuit of these creatures.
Biologists have identified about 2,000 species of nudibranch . With this number, about 50 swim in a right and left motion.
The researchers investigated the neural mechanism associated with the swimming movement of two species of the nudibranch (right and left movement): the large melibe. From an evolutionary point of view, these two species of those nudibranch share a common ancestor. In fact, all 50 nudibranch that are characterized by right and left movement belong to the same branch in the evolutionary tree.
The predictions of the evolutionary model
Given the fact that the nudibranch characterized by right and left movement are evolutionarily related to each other, the evolutionary model predicts that morphology, genetics, and behavior originate in the common ancestor of this group. And given the fact that this swimming movement characterizes this whole group, the expectation is that the neurons and the neural circuit that controls this behavior will also be common among all species.
Scientists from the University of Georgia said, “… Often, behavioral morphology is assumed to involve similarities in neural mechanisms… Naturally identical behaviors indicate that they were formed by identical mechanisms.2
The neural circuit of Nudibranch
Based on the prediction of the evolutionary model, the researchers found that the neurons of the large nudibranch were identical to those of the melibes. But they were surprised to find that the neural mechanisms that controlled the swimming movement of the two species of nudibranch were different.
In fact, they used a technique (dynamic clamping) that allowed them to change the neural circuit of one of the nudibranch so that it was identical to that of the other, while at the same time causing the same swimming behavior.
The failure of the evolutionary paradigm
The surprising discovery of the difference in the neural circuit of the two species of nudibranch contradicts the prediction of the evolutionary paradigm. So how did these researchers react to the surprising discovery?
First, they pointed out that their findings support the principle of plasticity of the nervous system, in that the same neurons support many neural circuits and in that the change in neural circuits created the same behavior. If these two species were not from the same evolutionary branch, it could be argued that the difference in neural circuits represents an example of convergence.
The researchers suggest that perhaps this separation from the neural mechanism of the common ancestor of the nudibranch, is the result of a neural drift. But this does not make sense given the importance of swimming behavior for the survival of the nudibranch. A change in the neural circuit would change the behavior, which would hurt the survivability of the nudibranch. In fact, there is no evidence of what is called "genetic drift." This is an invented explanation that creates a deflection from the real problem. The problem is that the results of this study do not agree with the prediction of the evolutionary paradigm.
Remarks:
1. Akira Sakurai and Paul S. Katz, “Artificial Synaptic Rewiring Demonstrates That Distinct Neural Circuit Configuration Underlie Homologous Behaviors,” Current Biology 27 (June 19, 2017): 1–14, doi: 10.1016 / j.cub.2017.05.016 .
2. Ibid.
This is why biologists see the theory of evolution as a valid explanation for the history of life.
In contrast, the evolutionary paradigm has not yet adequately explained key events in the history of life, such as (1) the origin of life, (2) the origin of the phylum, (3) the origin of the reproductive system, (4) the cause of the great sociocultural explosion and human uniqueness and ( 5) The origin of consciousness. The theory of evolution also suffers from failed predictions, as a recent study by a team of geoscientists at the University of Georgia showed.(1)
Nudibranch
Researchers from the University of Georgia have characterized the neural circuits involved in the swimming behavior of nudibranch. These creatures were used as an ideal model of research on neural circuits because their nervous systems are made up of relatively large neurons. The neural circuits of these creatures are simple and easy to map. In addition, the neural circuits of nudibranch regulate simple behaviors. These features make it easy to characterize and then, control the neural circuit of these creatures.
Biologists have identified about 2,000 species of nudibranch . With this number, about 50 swim in a right and left motion.
The researchers investigated the neural mechanism associated with the swimming movement of two species of the nudibranch (right and left movement): the large melibe. From an evolutionary point of view, these two species of those nudibranch share a common ancestor. In fact, all 50 nudibranch that are characterized by right and left movement belong to the same branch in the evolutionary tree.
The predictions of the evolutionary model
Given the fact that the nudibranch characterized by right and left movement are evolutionarily related to each other, the evolutionary model predicts that morphology, genetics, and behavior originate in the common ancestor of this group. And given the fact that this swimming movement characterizes this whole group, the expectation is that the neurons and the neural circuit that controls this behavior will also be common among all species.
Scientists from the University of Georgia said, “… Often, behavioral morphology is assumed to involve similarities in neural mechanisms… Naturally identical behaviors indicate that they were formed by identical mechanisms.2
The neural circuit of Nudibranch
Based on the prediction of the evolutionary model, the researchers found that the neurons of the large nudibranch were identical to those of the melibes. But they were surprised to find that the neural mechanisms that controlled the swimming movement of the two species of nudibranch were different.
In fact, they used a technique (dynamic clamping) that allowed them to change the neural circuit of one of the nudibranch so that it was identical to that of the other, while at the same time causing the same swimming behavior.
The failure of the evolutionary paradigm
The surprising discovery of the difference in the neural circuit of the two species of nudibranch contradicts the prediction of the evolutionary paradigm. So how did these researchers react to the surprising discovery?
First, they pointed out that their findings support the principle of plasticity of the nervous system, in that the same neurons support many neural circuits and in that the change in neural circuits created the same behavior. If these two species were not from the same evolutionary branch, it could be argued that the difference in neural circuits represents an example of convergence.
The researchers suggest that perhaps this separation from the neural mechanism of the common ancestor of the nudibranch, is the result of a neural drift. But this does not make sense given the importance of swimming behavior for the survival of the nudibranch. A change in the neural circuit would change the behavior, which would hurt the survivability of the nudibranch. In fact, there is no evidence of what is called "genetic drift." This is an invented explanation that creates a deflection from the real problem. The problem is that the results of this study do not agree with the prediction of the evolutionary paradigm.
Remarks:
1. Akira Sakurai and Paul S. Katz, “Artificial Synaptic Rewiring Demonstrates That Distinct Neural Circuit Configuration Underlie Homologous Behaviors,” Current Biology 27 (June 19, 2017): 1–14, doi: 10.1016 / j.cub.2017.05.016 .
2. Ibid.
