Listen "An Ordered Case for Design | Life on K2-18b Revisited"
Episode Synopsis
Join biochemist Fazale “Fuz” Rana and astrophysicist Hugh Ross as they discuss new discoveries with theological and philosophical implications that point to the reality of God’s existence.
A team of German researchers discovered that genes located in bacterial chromosomes assume a precise order based on their function. Biochemist Fuz Rana explains why this discovery evinces a Creator’s role in the origin and design of life.
Astrophysicist Hugh Ross comments on how the internet has blown up with blogs announcing astronomers have discovered signs of life on a distant planet called K2-18b. The reason for the excitement stems from a 99.7% probable detection of a molecule, dimethyl sulfide, in the planet’s atmosphere that might have been generated by living things. As an example, all of Earth’s dimethyl sulfide comes from marine microbes. However, several factors have been overlooked amidst the optimism: (1) Astronomers have found dimethyl sulfide in a comet and in the interstellar medium that’s indisputably nonbiological, (2) Astronomers question the detection, and (3) This distant planet and its host star’s physical characteristics rule out any possibility of physical life.
Links and Resources:
Most Bacterial Gene Families Are Biased Toward Specific Chromosomal Positions
New Constraints on DMS and DMDS in the Atmosphere of K2-18b from JWST MIRI
Signs of Life on a Distant Planet? Not So Fast, Say These Astronomers
On the Abiotic Origin of Dimethyl Sulfide: Discovery of Dimethyl Sulfide in the Interstellar Medium
Evidence for Abiotic Dimethyl Sulfide in Cometary Matter
A Comprehensive Reanalysis of K2-18b’s JWST NIRISS+NIRSpec Transmission Spectrum
Designed to the Core (chapters 9–11)
A team of German researchers discovered that genes located in bacterial chromosomes assume a precise order based on their function. Biochemist Fuz Rana explains why this discovery evinces a Creator’s role in the origin and design of life.
Astrophysicist Hugh Ross comments on how the internet has blown up with blogs announcing astronomers have discovered signs of life on a distant planet called K2-18b. The reason for the excitement stems from a 99.7% probable detection of a molecule, dimethyl sulfide, in the planet’s atmosphere that might have been generated by living things. As an example, all of Earth’s dimethyl sulfide comes from marine microbes. However, several factors have been overlooked amidst the optimism: (1) Astronomers have found dimethyl sulfide in a comet and in the interstellar medium that’s indisputably nonbiological, (2) Astronomers question the detection, and (3) This distant planet and its host star’s physical characteristics rule out any possibility of physical life.
Links and Resources:
Most Bacterial Gene Families Are Biased Toward Specific Chromosomal Positions
New Constraints on DMS and DMDS in the Atmosphere of K2-18b from JWST MIRI
Signs of Life on a Distant Planet? Not So Fast, Say These Astronomers
On the Abiotic Origin of Dimethyl Sulfide: Discovery of Dimethyl Sulfide in the Interstellar Medium
Evidence for Abiotic Dimethyl Sulfide in Cometary Matter
A Comprehensive Reanalysis of K2-18b’s JWST NIRISS+NIRSpec Transmission Spectrum
Designed to the Core (chapters 9–11)
More episodes of the podcast Stars, Cells, and God
Your Beliefs and Science
26/11/2025
Genetics and Human Uniqueness | Solar System Disturbances Led to Life-Friendly Conditions on Earth
12/11/2025
What Archaeology Tells Us About the Bible
05/11/2025
Why We Need to Go Beyond Evolution
22/10/2025
Benefits of Fasting
15/10/2025
Gut Health and the Microbiome
08/10/2025
Why Macroevolution Doesn’t Work
01/10/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.