Evolutionary ideas were flourishing in the early 1800s through the writings of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, Georges Cuvier and Erasmus Darwin (grandfather of the famous Charles Darwin). Evolutionists cited examples of selective breeding as "proof" that natural selection could cause new varieties and eventually new species to emerge. They did not as yet understand the limitations of selective breeding or the brick wall that such breeding hits when attempts are made to breed new species.

Science now knows that the DNA molecule in the nucleus of each cell acts as an information system that holds the 'blueprint' for the design of the organism. As varieties of potato are interbred the genetic information is shifted but not increased. According to an article by Don Batten, Ph. D., many hundreds of genetic mutations were studied at the biochemical level and none of the mutations caused the addition of specified complexity to the DNA. Genetic mutations virtually never add information to the DNA but merely scramble or delete preexisting information. Even the rare instances of natural genetic splicing are simply transfers of pre-existing genetic information from one organism to another.

Varieties of Irish potato such as the Lumper were bred for high yield. The entire energy of the plant was directed toward producing many large potatoes. This high yield came at the expense of other characteristics of the ancestral South American varieties. This redirection of plant energy to produce high yield came about because the genes for large potato production were concentrated in one variety. The genes that gave the plants resistance to the fungus "Phytophthora infestans" were apparently bred out.

When the fungus came in 1845, 40% of the potato crop was lost. The next year saw total loss of the crop. By 1847 even the seed potatoes held in reserve were gone. Out of a population of 8 million people, about 1 million starved to death. Another one and a half million people emigrated mostly to the United States.  

The fact that selective breeding of plants reduces other desirable characteristics is now recognized by world agricultural authorities. Such authorities are now establishing seed banks to preserve the ancestral varieties of wheat, rice, etc.

The first book of the Bible, the book of Genesis, gives the historical account of the creation. In the Genesis account, when God describes the creation of plants and animals it is followed by either of the phrases "after their kind" or "after its kind." For instance in Genesis 1:11 it says "Then God said, 'Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind'" (NASB). This means that each species reproduces its own kind. It doesn't produce a different kind. A lizard's egg doesn't hatch out a bird. No less than 10 times in the first chapter of Genesis alone do the phrases "after their kind" and "after its kind" appear. The phrases appear another seven times in later chapters in Genesis. These statements appear as a preemptive rebuke to the evolution myth which falsely claims that organisms can produce offspring of a different kind.

Many factors contributed to the tragedy of the Irish potato famine. There was careless plant breeding and over reliance on a potato variety presumed to be superior. In all, it was a very costly lesson on the limitations of genetic manipulation. Much of the information for this article was derived from "Potatoes and White Chimpanzees" by Grigg, R. Creation Magazine 26(4) 15-17 Sept.-Nov. 2004.   

The Bible is scientifically accurate! Find the evidence at www.icr.org.  

Steps to salvation: Jesus said "Ye must be born again." (John 3:7)

1. Believe that God created you and loves you and sent the Messiah (Messiah is Hebrew for Christ) to redeem you.
2. Believe that Jesus the Messiah came in fulfillment of over 300 Bible prophecies to die for you to take upon Himself the penalty for your sins. (Isaiah 53:5-6, John 6:29, Romans 4:5, First Peter 3:18)
3. Turn from sin and call on the name of Jesus to receive forgiveness. (Romans 10:13)
4. Receive Jesus as Savior and experience the new birth. (John 1:12, Acts 2:38)
5. Follow Him as Lord. (John 14:21)

"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13)

To receive the salvation that Jesus purchased for us at the terrible cost of His suffering and death on our behalf I invite you to pray this simple prayer:

"Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for sending Jesus, the promised Messiah, to die for my sins. I admit that I am a sinner and I ask for your forgiveness on the basis of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I ask you to fill me with your Holy Spirit to empower me to serve you under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, Amen."

If you prayed that prayer in the humble sincerity of your heart then you have received everlasting life, which includes power to live right in this life and entrance into heaven in the afterlife!

Bill Nugent, Overcomer Ministries of West Harrison, New York, USA

(C) 2010 William P. Nugent, permission granted to email or republish if credit given

DEFENDING THE FAITH APOLOGETIC ARTICLES Bill Nugent currently writes a series of articles called "Defending the Faith" which, as the title suggests, defend the Christian faith from the many attacks leveled against it in our postmodern world. The articles deal with such topics as evolution, UFOs, cults, modern/postmodern philosophy, liberal theology and popular culture. At the end of each article is an invitation to receive Christ as Savior and Lord. These articles are sent out over the Internet to several opt-in email lists. People who receive these articles are encouraged to resend them to their own lists and in this way reach their own unsaved relatives and friends with the Gospel. All Defending the Faith articles are © 2009 William P. Nugent, permission is granted to email or republish if credit given. To receive these articles which are sent out once per month fill in your email address below and click the SUBMIT button. *Security: Write the characters in the image above (Case sensitive)