The Complexity of Life (Secrets of the Cell with Michael Behe, Ep. 2)

Join bestselling author and biochemist Michael Behe as he explores "reducible" and "irreducible" complexity at the foundation of life in Episode 2 of "Secrets of the Cell."

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EN provides original reporting and analysis about evolution, neuroscience, bioethics, intelligent design and other science-related issues, including breaking news about scientific research. It also covers the impact of science on culture and conflicts over free speech and academic freedom in science.

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[JackReacher]

Love this man Michael behe. Respect from Pakistan.

[HatunTashDCCIMinistries]

This is going to be an awesome series. Since there's no shortage of evidence for design, the series could continue forever.

[blindlemon]

Dr. Behe is amazing. The intellectual honesty that he has maintained within a massively anti-intelligence-biased larger science community is deeply commendable. Several converging fields of science and math are now strongly suggesting that he has been correct all along. Thanks, Doc.

[ludwigkirchner]

I'm showing this to my 7 year old son so he can see for himself that Darwinian nonsense should be ridiculed openly.

[jerubaal]

MB I love U 4 Your currage, sincerity and wisdom in teaching!

[charlietheteacher]

"You can stand over there." That was pretty funny! Overall - great job - I'll make sure to share this with my students.

[salvadorhirth]

I'm loving this video; I have interest in both sciences. I'm working on an idea to use restriction enzymes from bacteria, to target the palindromic sequences of viruses to fight infections and save lives. I'm learning now about the fusion peptides that might hopefully get the right restriction enzyme across cells membranes to do the trick. Thank you for this video! I'm still watching it. It's a treat!

[akirataimatsu]

Very interessting! At Uni they taught us that this case of irreducible complexity is explainable by merging the concepts of emergence (the system has new properties than it's individual parts) and niche construction (a system changes it's enviroment, co-evolution). It goes like this: "... the flagellum is an emergent result of the evolution of components which originally evolved with completely different functions in different contexts. (SIS)" I think they missed the point. First, the individual parts don't seem to have a function UNTIL they come together (anything other than that is just guesswork). Second, how and why did the individual parts come together (in perfect order) in the first place, when they evolved in different contexts? The parts would have been either junk at some point or involved in some other process. This rases the question: Why didn't the junk parts get removed by natural selection and why did't the functioning parts in other processes continue functioning that way? Third, this flagellum is essencial for the survival of the cell, so this mechanism is not something which is easily replaced or susceptible to change.

[robertdennis]

Dr. Ken Miller, I believe, demonstrated the use of a partially disassembled mouse trap as a tie clip. And yes, other parts could be used for different purposes. The spring could hold business cards; the holding bar could be used as a toothpick, etc. As the argument goes, there is a similar structure in bacteria as the flagellum motor that acts as a syringe. The problem with these arguments is that it still requires intelligence to co-opt parts used in different, unrelated functions into a new, integrated function.

[robertburnett]

A true scientist will go where the facts lead, regardless of preconceived ideas Dr Behe is that kind of scientist !

[MDA]

I like the tecnique of this video, invite people to watch without spoilers

[codyscottrose]

The THEORY of evolution is a slap in the face to the true LAWS of thermodynamics. It's a joke to hear anybody trying to use it as an actual explanation for life on this Earth.

[slimdusty]

Good to see this discussion being brought into public. Hopefully the option to comment will be left open. I find it harder to trust people theory whenever i see that they wont open their theory up to comment

[davidbermudez]

The evidence for God’s existence is so strong it will soften the heart of an atheist.

Over 22 years ago I was an atheist that believed in the Theory of Evolution.

[numericalcode]

Dr Behe is an important thought leader in ID. It is interesting that he is a proponent of common ancestry for all life.

[jameshorn]

"Yeah but if you remove a part of the mouse trap it can be a useful function as a paper weight!"


^That statement was used as a pathetic attempt to rebut Michael Behe's irreducible complexity argument of the mouse trap. Anything goes with these haters as long as it's not God who did it.

[WaelHamadeh]

Way to go. Short, simple and direct. Love the analogies and the production that is pleasing to the eye. Keep up the good work.

[fyrerayne]

I like this series.
Clear and concise.
Thanks!

[jackgolden]

Incredible, thank you for sharing this. These videos are essential to the arguments I am making in my micro-bio classes for ID.

[robertdennis]

How difficult might it be in a shop to evolve, by gradual steps, a gasoline engine in a car, to a gas turbine engine? The catch is that the car must be running the whole time modifications are being made, and it must continuously be providing, or be capable of providing, torque to the drive train. This will be a tall order, even with intelligent, purpose driven mechanics engaged in the process. All the intermediate steps must also provide some direct advantage that keeps the process moving forward.