Book Review: What Darwin Didn't Know: A Doctor Dissects the Theory of Evolution

Author: Geoffrey Simmons, M.D.
Spiritual Bias: Christian
Origins Bias: Intelligent Design Proponent
Rating: Middle of the Road
Level: Basic

Comments: Much has changed since the debut of Darwin's The Origin of Species. Our understanding of biology has increased by leaps and bounds and we no longer think of a cell as just a "blob". As Simmons shows, cellular systems are incredibly complex - in fact, they can be compared to little cities with thousands of subsystems and moving parts. Can the evolutionary theory forged in an age of lesser scientific understanding still account for the recent findings of the scientific community? This is the question that is posed by Dr. Simmons and other proponents of intelligent design. In this book Simmons presents evidence in the form of descriptions of several complex systems found within the human body. For example, he covers reproduction, the respiratory system, the circulatory system, and the neurological system in addition to several other aspects of human physiology. In each case, he highlights the "whole-package phenomenon" (WPP), which is similar to the concept of irreducible complexity put forth by Behe in Darwin's Black Box. The whole package phenomenon is the notion that for a given system each subsystem or component must be in working fashion in order for the entire system to function. Naturally, this presents a challenge to the evolutionary perspective where small changes gradually build up over time.

What Darwin Didn't Know is written at a very basic level, so it makes for easy reading. It is not as technical as some other books in this genre, but that can be a good thing depending upon your scientific background and your familiarity with this subject. I recommend this book for those looking for one medical doctor's perspective on Darwinism, and in particular human origins.


Sample Quote(s): "If one assumes evolution is at the root of human existence, one needs to explain how animals changed from nonlactating to lactating without any intermediate steps. Also, did nursing appear spontaneously after the advent of live birth..or did it arrive simultaneously with conception, the placenta, implantation, embryo development, and delivery (WPP)?"

"Eyelids act like squeegees that smooth out the lubricant and thereby improve vision. They also sweep tiny particles into the gutters...Without tear ducts, the tears would constantly overflow the eyes (like the shower flooding the bathtub.) Without constant lubrication, our eyes would dry up and scar; without bacteria-killing enzymes, we might have constant infections; and without the ability to blink, our eyes would be pockmarked by debris and soon blinded. The eyebrows, eyelashes, eyelids, eyeballs, lacrimal glands, and lubricating fluid all had to have come about as a whole package. Nothing less would have worked."