There are six mechanisms that produce variation in the gene system:
1. Built-in variation in the gene pool
2. Reproductive exchange
3. Independent assortment during meiosis
4. Crossing over during meiosis
5. Transposable elements
6. Recombination of chromosomes
The faith required to believe that any one of these mechanisms, let alone all of them, came about by chance is extraordinary. If design is the option chosen, then obviously variation of organisms is a hallmark of Creation. God did not then create immutable, unchangeable species, but rather an enormous capacity for change.
Classification
With these mechanisms, animals have an enormous capacity for change.
The question is no longer whether change can take place or not, but rather how much change and where the limits are. The modern animal classification system is based on the way species look. However, scientists have discovered that the classification of certain species such as mice, rabbits and whales is incorrect when compared to their genetic make-up.
For example, some mice look similar, but have very different molecular make-up, and therefore are more closely related to gerbils than mice, while still classified as mice.i There are also contradictions in molecular and morphological classification of rodents, rabbits, and primates; and even conflicting classifications in whales.ii,iii These inconsistencies suggest that we should not classify animals based only on their appearances.
Reproductive Isolation
Some species have a built-in mechanism that prevents crossbreeding, called reproductive isolation. Some say that species evolved this mechanism over a long period of time to keep the integrity of the species.
However, reproductive isolation could develop over a short period of time if the existing genome was reshuffled. The flexibility of the genome allows for rapid change. This flexibility has nothing to do with evolution, but rather with built-in variation ability.
Here is an example of reproductive isolation that developed quickly. Mosquitoes that fed only on birds entered a tunnel system in London. The mosquitoes rapidly changed from feeding on birds to feeding on the rats in the tunnel. These mosquitoes are now incapable of breeding with the mosquitoes that remained above ground.
Dr. Jenny Graves of La Trobe University says this about the “jumping genes” that could cause reproductive isolation: “We thought it took millions of years of long-term selection for a jumping gene to be activated. We’ve now shown that it can happen in five minutes after fertilization.”iv
Within the gene pool of each animal is a huge capacity for variety. And as we have seen, this variety can occur very quickly, and does not need millions of years to evolve.
The Biblical concept of “kinds” must be reexamined based on this information. Read about the true definition of “kinds” in "Species" versus "Kind"
i. P.C. Chevret et al., "Molecular evidence that the spiny mouse (Acomys) is more closely related to gerbils (Gerbillinae) than to true mice (Murinae)," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 90 (1993):3433-3436.
ii. D. Graur, "Molecular phylogeny and the higher classification of eutherian mammals" Trends in Ecology and Evolution 8 (1993):141-147.
iii. M.C. Milinkovitch, et al., "Revised phylogeny of whales suggested by mitochondrial ribosomal DNA sequences," Nature 361 (1993):346-348.
iv. La Trobe Bulletin (September 1998): 7-8.
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Understanding the Creation Week
The Rise of Evolutionary Thinking
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Earth's History: Conflicting Paradigms
Lamarck Proposes Natural Selection
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Flood Chronology
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Persecution in the First Centuries
An Era of Spiritual Darkness The Waldenses
John Wycliffe Huss and Jerome
Luther's Separation From Rome
Luther Before the Diet The Swiss Reformer
Progress of Reform in Germany
Protest of the Princes The French Reformation
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An American Reformer Light Through Darkness
A Great Religious Awakening A Warning Rejected
Prophecies Fulfilled What is the Sanctuary?
In the Holy of Holies God's Law Immutable
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Facing Life's Record The Origin of Evil
Enmity Between Man and Satan
Agency of Evil Spirits Snares of Satan
The First Great Deception
Can Our Dead Speak to Us?
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The Impending Conflict
The Scriptures a Safeguard The Final Warning
The Time of Trouble God's People Delivered
Desolation of the Earth The Controversy Ended
Is Revelation a Sealed Book?
Revelation 1: Jesus, The Heart of Revelation
Revelation 1 Commentary: The Revelation of Jesus
Revelation 2 Commentary: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira
Revelation 2-3: Letters to Seven Churches
Revelation 3 Commentary: Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea
The Lamb and the Sealed Book
Revelation 4 Commentary: The Throne in Heaven
Revelation 5 Commentary: The Scroll and the Lamb
Revelation 6 Commentary: The Vision of Seven Seals
Revelation 7 Commentary: The 144,000
Revelation 8 Commentary: Seven Trumpets
Revelation 9 Commentary: The Bottomless Pit
Revelation 10 Commentary: A Little Book
Revelation 11 Commentary: Two Witnesses
Revelation 12 Commentary: The Woman and the Dragon
Revelation 13 Commentary: Two Beasts
Revelation 14 Commentary: Three Angels' Messages
Revelation 15 Commentary: Seven Angels, Seven Plagues
Revelation 16 Commentary: Seven Bowls of God's Anger
Revelation 17 Commentary: A Woman Rides the Beast
Revelation 18 Commentary: Babylon Falls
Revelation 19 Commentary: The Rider on the White Horse
Revelation 20 Commentary: Millennium and the Judgment
Revelation 21 Commentary: The New Jerusalem
Revelation 22 Commentary: Invitation and Warning