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Irreducible complexity is a concept developed by Lehigh University biochemist Michael Behe in support of his theory of intelligent design. The term assumes that some pathways within a living cell function only if all their parts are present in good working order at the outset. For example, a mousetrap consists of several parts which work together to catch a mouse; if any part is missing or defective, the mousetrap fails to work at all. Similarly, the biochemistry of light detection requires complex interactions among many different molecules, each performing a very specialized job. |
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Irreducible complexity is a concept developed by Lehigh University biochemist Michael Behe in support of his theory of intelligent design. The term assumes that some pathways within a living cell function only if all their parts are present in good working order at the outset. For example, a mousetrap consists of several parts which work together to catch a mouse; if any part is missing or defective, the mousetrap fails to work at all. Similarly, the biochemistry of light detection requires complex interactions among many different molecules, each performing a very specialized job. |
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Most biochemists believe do not believe that the concept is useful, because Behe ignores mechanisms by which complexity comes into being. One such mechanism is "scaffolding" as |
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Most biochemists do not believe that the concept is useful, because Behe ignores mechanisms by which complexity comes into being. One such mechanism is "scaffolding" as |
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See: intelligent design |
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See: intelligent design |
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