Antibiotic Resistance

Is Antibiotic Resistance Proof of Evolution?

Bacterial antibiotic resistance has long been touted by evolutionists as proof of evolution. But, it really isn't. Remember that in any discussion of evolution, the critical factor in evaluating whether or not evolution has occurred is to identify if there has been a gain in genetic information that has resulted in the formation of a new, previously nonexistent organism (and remember that we have never observed the formation of a new, more "highly" advanced organism from a "lesser" one).

Remember that in any discussion of evolution, the critical factor in evaluating whether or not evolution has occurred is to identify if there has been a gain in genetic information that has resulted in the formation of a new, previously nonexistent organism . . .

All known cases of antibiotic resistance are either a result of mutation to the bacterial DNA (i.e. a loss of information to the bacterial genome that results in a loss of normal enzyme function, which results in the antibiotic not being processed to its toxic product) OR from transfer of DNA from another bacterium or bacteriophage to a bacterium. However, in both cases, no new information is created in the process AND the organism is still the organism. No matter how resistant Staphylococcus aureus (pictured, gold color) becomes to various antibiotics, no matter how its DNA changes, it is still always Staphylococcus aureus and when it reproduces it always only reproduces more Staphylococcus aureus organisms. It hasn't changed into anything new or different, and it never will; therefore, the development of antibiotic resistance is not an example of evolution at all.  All antibiotic resistance really is is a loss of information (i.e. not evolution) or a transfer of DNA to a bacterium that continues to be that very same bacterium (i.e. not evolution). I'll blog more on this in greater detail in my upcoming Creation Education Center blog.

Until Next Time!
Science Shepherd