Question & Objection

Is Biological Information Just a Misleading Analogy?

The Origin of Life

Descriptions of DNA and RNA often use words such as information, code, transcription, translation, and copying.

Critics may argue that this language encourages an inappropriate comparison between living systems and human communication or computer software. Molecules obey chemistry; they do not read messages or understand symbols.

Why This Matters

This objection matters because biological information plays an important role in many Intelligent Design arguments.

If the word information is being used only metaphorically, conclusions based upon the analogy could be misleading.

Response

The terminology must be used carefully.

DNA does not possess understanding or intention. Chemical interactions implement the processes by which nucleotide sequences are copied and expressed.

Nevertheless, sequence matters objectively. Different nucleotide sequences can produce different functional consequences. In existing organisms, nucleotide sequences are inherited, copied, transcribed, and, through the translation system, related to amino-acid sequences in proteins.

For that reason, information terminology is widely used in biology and can describe measurable relationships involving sequence, heredity, and function without implying that DNA literally thinks or understands a message.

The Intelligent Design question should therefore not rest merely upon vocabulary. The relevant issue is whether the origin of functionally consequential sequences and the molecular systems that use them can be adequately explained by proposed chemical and evolutionary processes.

Question That Remains

Which measures of biological information are most useful for studying the transition from prebiotic chemistry to functional heredity?

Research Sources

Koonin and Novozhilov — Origin and Evolution of the Genetic Code

Eugene V. Koonin; Artem S. Novozhilov • 2009

Use: Scientific Foundation

Relevance: Reviews major scientific theories concerning the origin and evolution of the genetic code and the relationship between nucleotide triplets and amino-acid assignments.

Source note: Shows that sequence relationships, coding, translation, and the origin of the coding principle are genuine subjects of biological investigation rather than concepts introduced only by Intelligent Design advocates.

Koonin and Novozhilov — Universal Genetic Code

Eugene V. Koonin; Artem S. Novozhilov • 2017

Use: Evolutionary Model

Relevance: Examines proposed evolutionary explanations for the structure and near universality of the genetic code.

Source note: Provides neutral scientific context for discussing biological information without assuming that information terminology itself establishes design.

Meyer — Signature in the Cell

Stephen C. Meyer • 2009

Use: Design Interpretation

Relevance: Presents the Intelligent Design argument that functionally specified biological information is relevant to an inference of intelligent causation.

Source note: Included specifically to document the design interpretation. Its conclusions should be distinguished from the neutral scientific literature describing genetic information and the origin of coding.