Page 228 - A Historical Lie: The Stone Age

A HISTORICAL LIE: THE STONE AGE

proteins, the building blocks of a cell, being synthesized coinciden-
tally, is 1 in 10 950 for an average protein made up of 500 amino acids.
50
In mathematics, a probability smaller than 1 over 10 is considered
to be impossible in practical terms.
The DNA molecule, which is located in the nucleus of a cell and
which stores genetic information, is an incredible databank. If the in-
formation coded in DNA were written down, it would make a
giant library consisting of an estimated 900 volumes of
encyclopedias consisting of 500 pages each.
A very interesting dilemma emerges at this point:
DNA can replicate itself only with the help of some
specialized proteins (enzymes). However, the
synthesis of these enzymes can be realized only
by the information coded in DNA. As they
both depend on each other, they have to exist
at the same time for replication. This
brings the scenario that life originated
by itself to a deadlock. Prof. Leslie Or-
gel, an evolutionist of repute from the
University of San Diego, California,
confesses this fact in the September
1994 issue of the Scientific American

magazine:
It is extremely improbable that pro-
teins and nucleic acids, both of
which are structurally complex,
arose spontaneously in the same
place at the same time. Yet it also
seems impossible to have one wit-

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