Here’s the X post you linked:
@creationnews (Creation Ministries International) Posted: January 1, 2024
“Junk” DNA has often been cited as proof of humans and apes sharing a common ancestor.
However, new studies indicate it actually represents a complex new layer in the flow of genetic information.
The post has no replies, images, or video attached—just text and the link to their own article.
Quick breakdown of the linked article
https://creation.com/en-us/articles/hbp1-pseudogene-function
Key points from the study (Ma et al., Developmental Cell, 2021):
- HBBP1 is an ancient pseudogene shared among placental mammals.
- In humans, it has a regulatory function in erythropoiesis (red blood cell production). It acts as a non-coding RNA that binds the protein HNRNPA1, which helps stabilize TAL1 mRNA (a key regulator of red blood cell development).
- This interaction appears human-specific—it relies on a G→A mutation that created a new functional motif not present in the same way in other primates.
The creation.com article uses this to argue:
- Pseudogenes aren’t “junk” or broken leftovers from evolution.
- Their similarity across species (e.g., humans and chimps) reflects “common design” by a creator, not common ancestry.
Scientific context (truth-seeking take)
The discovery is real and interesting—many pseudogenes and non-coding regions once dismissed as junk do have functions, often regulatory ones. This aligns with broader findings from the ENCODE project and ongoing genomics research showing the genome is far more layered and complex than the old “junk DNA” caricature suggested.
However, this specific finding doesn’t undermine the evidence for common ancestry between humans and apes. Here’s why:
- The paper itself describes HBBP1 as an ancient shared pseudogene that later gained a human-specific role. That’s exactly how evolution works: neutral or “broken” sequences can be co-opted for new functions over time.
- The strongest evidence for common descent isn’t “junk DNA is shared,” but shared errors—identical disabling mutations, insertions, or deletions in the exact same places across species. Classic examples include:
- The GULO pseudogene (can’t make vitamin C) with the same inactivating mutations in humans, chimps, gorillas, and orangutans.
- Endogenous retroviruses and transposons inserted at identical genomic locations.
- Human chromosome 2 being a fusion of two ape chromosomes (with matching telomere and centromere remnants).
Finding a secondary function in one pseudogene doesn’t erase those patterns. It just shows biology is resourceful.
If the post or article caught your eye and you’d like me to pull the full 2021 paper details, compare it to other pseudogene studies, or discuss any related science (e.g., vitamin C gene, ERVs, or ENCODE), just say the word! What’s your take on it?
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