Question of the Week - Why would an evolutionist become a doctor?

A: Can a medical doctor do his job well without believing in evolution? Some people claim that a physician without a proper understanding of evolution does not have an adequate knowledge base from which to practice medicine.

For instance, geneticist Theodosius Dobzhansky claimed, “Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution.” Dr. Charlie Webb, an emergency room physician, said, “Evolution is the basis of biology, biology is the basis of medicine. You’re messing with something important when you mess with evolution.”

Several years ago Dr. Michael Dini, a professor of biology at Texas Tech University, felt so strongly about this issue that he refused to write letters of recommendation for pre-med students who did not accept evolution as fact. According to his website, “The central unifying theme of biology is the theory of evolution, which includes both micro- and macro-evolution, which extends to ALL species. How can someone who does not accept the most important theory in biology expect to properly practice in a field that is so heavily based on biology?” He indicated that the student must answer the question “How do you think the human species originated?” with a sincere reference to evolution.

These opinions notwithstanding, many advances in medical science have come from scientists who did not accept evolution. For example, Louis Pasteur’s belief that life could only come from life led to his proof of the law of biogenesis and the debunking of the theory of spontaneous generation. His discoveries were the basis for landmark inventions such as pasteurization and vaccinations for rabies and anthrax. Other prominent creationists in the field of medicine include Joseph Lister, who first promoted the principles of antiseptic surgery, and Dr. Raymond Damadian, inventor of the MRI scanner.

Acceptance of evolution does not make someone a better physician. On the contrary, acceptance of evolution raises a very basic question: “Why would an evolutionist become a doctor in the first place?”

Find out why as Tommy Mitchell, MD, examines this issue in Why Would an Evolutionist
Become a Doctor?

News to Note Quick Look

Dinos in the desert: The locals in the village of Madar, Yemen, are finally learning that the fossilized footprints running around their town weren’t made by giant camels! Read more.

Eye of the beholder: Rabid atheist Christopher Hitchens, writing in online magazine Slate, takes creationists to task for our alleged blindness to the “de”-evolution of sight. Read more.

Also: rare air, horse play, grunting fish, and a tiny flying robot. Read more.

This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.