Creation Science Evangelism

Chromosome Count and Complexity

     Such an argument does not stem from the science itself, but from simplistic thinking on the part of Hovind.  Chromosome counts have little to do with complexity, neither is there any part of evolutionary theory that claims that increased chromosome count equals increased complexity.  Hovind is misleading his followers concerning evolution.

     It is obvious when you compare the fern, which he says has 480 chromosomes, to humans, with 46, that the human body is much more complex than the fern.  We don't need a scientific study to determine this.  Thus, complexity cannot be based upon chromosome count (Hovind could even discern this with his own eyes).

     Furthermore, chromosomes can vary greatly within a single genus or species.  For example, the plant genus Clarkia has species with chromosome counts of n=5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, and 26.²  This even occurs within mammals, in the house mouse species (Mus domesticus), which ranges from 2n=22 to 40.³

     Chromosomes can split or join, with little or no effect on the genes themselves.  For example, a human chromosome is very similar to two chimpanzee chromosomes, and if they joined, would be nearly identical.  Because the genes could still align, the change in chromosome number would not preclude reproduction.⁴  Chromosome count can also change via polyploidy, which is a common mechanism of speciation in plants.

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