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April 08, 2005

The Evidence Keeps Piling Up

Both that Paul from Wizbang is a scientific nitwit and that evolution is the way of the world:

One of the most deadly animals in the world can now be eaten by a snake that was once paralyzed instantly if it even tried to touch the prey. It's an amazing story of evolution that's fascinating not only biologists, but a whole arena of scientists.

Garter snakes, which could never touch it [the newt] before, can eat it whole now because they've mutated in [a] unique way. And Utah State University researchers are the first to document the changes.

Sodium channels, as they're called, within the snake's muscles have altered so that proteins from the poison can no longer attach or bind.

Evolution at work... it's a beautiful thing.

Or maybe God took out his toolbox and went to tinkering inside the bellies of all the garter snakes. Yes, that's much more likely.

Many scientists are interested in the USU study because the specific way the snake has mutated may help them develop drugs that might help people with epilepsy, heart arrhythmias or muscular dystrophy.

Oh right, it's not like evolutionary theory underpins modern biology or something. Yeesh, dumb ol' scientists.

Sorry, got possessed by the spirit of Paul for a second there.

Update: Speaking of anti-evolution ignorance, WorldNetDaily shows a complete inability to grasp even the basics of the subject. Dumb or dishonest? Hmmm.

Update 2: From the comments:

Wake me up when you garter snake evolves into something other than garter snake

...also known in these parts as:

I ain't never seen no fish turn into no monkey!

How does one win an education battle against people too stupid to learn?

Update 3: Again, from the comments:

While I'm sure this comment made you feel superior, it does nothing to answer the question you raised yourself - How does a fish turn into a monkey?

No, not superior - simply more educated on the subject. As does your asking of the fish/monkey question.

One hundred bonus points for missing the point, as well.