Page 136 - A Chain of Miracles

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A A Chain of Miracles

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THE SECRET BEHIND THE DIVERSIFICATION OF CELLS
For multiplication by cell division to become possible, first one
cell must make a copy of itself—which in turn, in time, must pro-
duce further copies of themselves and so on, into millions of iden-
tical cells. But this process is far more complicated and mysterious
than it appears. At some point during the process of cell division,
and by an unknown trigger, certain cells begin to diversify into al-
together different cells. In this way, cells originating from a com-
mon stem cell diversify, by cell division, to create different tissues
and organs. Some become light-sensitive retinal cells, others liver
cells. Still others become nerve cells sensitive to heat, cold or pain,
or receptive to vibrations caused by sound.

How can such diversification come about? Since a cell cannot
decide on its own to specialize, who makes this decision?
All cells contain the same DNA data, yet produce different pro-
teins. Two cells producing different proteins become different from
one another. But how is it that two cells of common origin, and con-
taining the same genetic information, suddenly begin producing
different types of proteins and displaying different characteristics

and behavior? Even though they are identical copies of each other,
who directs them to produce different types of proteins?
Hoimar von Ditfurth, a fervent advocate of evolution, com-
ments on the mysterious developments taking place in the womb:
How a single egg cell divides to form so numerous differentiated
cells, and the perfect natural communication and the cooperation be-
tween these cells top the events that amaze scientists. 66
Likewise, other advocates of evolution fail to explain how one

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