The Soul of the Matter (24 page)

Dr. Erving said, “Journalists are writing for the masses and tend to simplify things.”

“Still, it's a big challenge to our understanding of how we got here. Could it lead to the idea that the Darwinian view of human origin is incomplete?” Dan said.

“It's just a gap in our knowledge, not an actual finding that contradicts anything. There are a number of major origin-of-life initiatives working to figure this out now. We have a big one here at Harvard—not that creationists wouldn't try to exploit the gap of what we currently can explain. Which is why we don't talk about it.”

“So how did Stephen's discussion with Rudner go? I'm looking to fill in gaps in the notes pertaining to what Stephen called algorithmic genetic expression. Was that discussed?” Dan asked.

“Yes, that was at the heart of what became a contentious discussion. But it started quietly at first. Stephen asked how there were moments in evolutionary history where large numbers of new species and body plans seemed to appear spontaneously at the same time, in potential conflict with evolutionary theory, according to which mutations accumulate gradually and species change slowly. In other words, evolution is supposed to be extraordinarily slow, yet there are periods where a large number of things happened very, very fast, at least in relation to the evolutionary time scale. The most prominent of these spurts is the Cambrian explosion. Dr. Rudner responded that the Cambrian explosion was probably preceded by a long history of evolving organisms that did not fossilize.”

“What about where the fossil record shows there was very little change in species over long periods of time and then all of a sudden new species arose, some seemingly without transitional species? Dr. Bishop referred to this in his notes,” Dan said.

“Dr. Rudner explained to Dr. Bishop that species, in a stable ­environment, don't change much over time. But when something in the environment changes that creates a distinct advantage for features that present species don't have or can't fully exploit, new species will quickly arise with those features to occupy the new niches,” Dr. Erving answered.

“This implies that the rate of beneficial genetic mutations is, relatively speaking, always very fast, but that natural selection kills off mutations before they can take hold when there is no niche to fill. It also means there should be a decent number of transitional species in the fossil records. Have either of these been observed?” Dan asked.

“The lack of transitional fossils is indicative of periods of fast evo
lution. Fossilization is a very-low-probability occurrence, since organisms have to die in an environment that preserves their bodies long enough for sediments to encase them and minerals to be absorbed into the remnants of the bodies. You need a very large number of members of a species, over a long period of time, to get just one fossil,” Dr. Erving responded.

“So what you're saying is that evolution happen so fast, that even though there were other fossils from the same period, there were too few of the transition species to have left
any
fossils. The biggest activity happens off-camera, so to speak,” Dan offered. Seeing the director visibly tense by how he explicitly stated things, potentially exposing issues with Darwinian theory, Dan added, “I'm not taking a position, just repeating what I think you're saying. Evolution in actuality is always a fast process held in check most of the time. Is the rate of observed genetic mutations fast enough to support the implied speed of overall rate of species mutations?”

“They clearly have to be fast enough. Further research will show that they are.”

“Actually, doesn't present research show that error correction mechanisms
prevent
mutations, greatly slowing down the possible rate of evolution? Was that when Dr. Bishop mentioned potential alternative evolutionary mechanisms? Did that cause things to get heated with Dr. Rudner?”

Dr. Erving stood up and began to pace.

“Summarizing for the sake of brevity, Dr. Bishop presented his theory that a complex algorithm was involved in expressing DNA and claimed that it was consistent with the idea of punctuated equilibrium and convergent evolution. He even thought it could explain it, because the changes of what he called a few bits of input information, processed by the existing mechanisms, would lead to parallel and fast evolutionary changes without the need for a large number of gradual changes, as you noted. Dr. Rudner was stunned.”

Waving his arms for effect, he continued, “Then the wheels almost came off when Dr. Bishop asked Dr. Rudner about the potential implications of what looked like a program with input variables whereby changes to the variables seem to happen in a coordinated fashion
across species. Although he seemed to be basing it on data, I have to say Dr. Bishop took positions that I thought were out of the mainstream. Things were veering into the realm of faith rather than science, injecting design intent and interaction into a godless, I mean unguided, process. Despite that, I enjoyed the conversation and let it go on, as much to watch Dr. Rudner's reactions as anything else. Stephen was cornering Dr. Rudner, really needling her in a way I hadn't seen anyone do before. I thought it was long overdue. I have to admit that I liked that.”

Dan said, “Dr. Rudner is well known for her scientific knowledge and beliefs about evolution. Why did you enjoy Stephen challenging her? Don't you share those beliefs?”

“Quite simply, Dr. Rudner takes positions that are inherently contradictory to virtually everyone but herself. She tries to have it both ways and plays to whatever audience she is in front of. She claims that God created evolution but then that God left evolution alone to create us, unintended; that God's intent was no intent other than evolutionary processes. She'll testify in court against intelligent design while debating atheists about the existence of the Judeo-Christian God. It seems like she is saying that God exists but didn't do anything and didn't leave any traces if He did. She's one of the few I know of who argues that position. I don't believe in God, don't know much about Judaism or Christianity, but I don't see how you can believe God exists but didn't explicitly want humans to exist and didn't arrange for that outcome.”

“It is rather hard to say that we evolved unguided from apes yet are afflicted with original sin of our own collective making,” Dan said.

“You would think so.”

“Still, isn't Dr. Rudner popular in the evolution community, even referring to well-known atheists as her good friends—not that they say the same in return?” Dan was glad he had done his homework.

Dr. Erving said, “People in that community tolerate her because she serves a purpose in making evolution palatable to the religious. She's the nose of the camel in the tent. Once Darwinian evolution is fully understood and accepted, religion will be relegated to private faith, and eventually educated into extinction, like all other unfit
characteristics of a species. It's already happening. I'm not quite so intolerant as to say that it has to happen, but it will.”

The conversation had gone in a different direction than Dan had anticipated. Whether it was what had transpired between Stephen and Rudner, or just his own interests, they had spent a lot more time talking about the validity of Darwinian evolution than about what they had come to find out. He needed to pull the conversation back on track. They were there to find out anything related to a treatment for Ava, and he had to focus on that, though Stephen's other interests likely were related to it.

“How angry did they get? Did you think the conflict might escalate at some point?” Dan asked.

“At points, I had concerns, but no, it didn't get out of control. Is this what you're researching for the book?” asked Dr. Erving with skepticism.

“A part of it. Stephen's notes do indicate the broad outlines of what you described. We're also looking for a collaborator Dr. Bishop worked with on what he referred to as the DNA algorithm, or any research that might use that to understand and treat diseases. Is there any possibility Dr. Rudner may have been of some help in that area? I know that would be a long shot, as it seems she may have viewed Stephen as the equivalent of the Catholic Church trying to repress the scientific truth of the earth orbiting the sun.” Dan worried that his attempt to ferret out Stephen's Galileo was too obvious, but Dr. Erving laughed.

“I'm pretty sure they didn't collaborate on anything after that discussion. It ended shortly after that, and not on warm terms.”

Trish asked, “Did Stephen mention how his research could be used to develop new medical treatments?”

“No. I'm an evolutionary scientist working in a museum. It's not something people would normally discuss with me,” Dr. Erving answered.

“One last question,” Dan said. “For the layperson, what's the strongest evidence for Darwinian evolution?”

“That's easy: common descent, geographic distribution, specia
tion, and natural selection. We see the evidence all around us.” Dr. Erving said confidently.

“Are these inconsistent with or at odds with a God-directed evolution?” Trish asked.

“On the surface, it's not inconsistent. But if a God directed it, the design would have been better and more tailored to individual species. There would be no need for common descent you see here,” Dr. Erving said, pointing all around the hall. “And while that's not a scientific argument, there is also the issue that there is no proof for God's existence, but plenty of evidence of the harm of religion, including a poorly written Bible. This leaves natural, material means as the best explanation.” Dr. Erving replied.

Dan was incredulous. “So you're saying that if God did exist, He would have done a better job and wouldn't have reused designs?” he said, his voice coming out a bit louder than he intended. “And therefore, because that isn't the case, He can't exist? Wouldn't assuming how a God should have designed everything require knowing for what
purpose
a God would create us? We don't even know how to feed people living next door to us, though that should be easy, and we think we know what a God should have done! That's quite a theological argument you are making about science.”

As the words came out of his mouth, Dan realized that much of his life had been based on what he thought a God should or should not have done, if such a being in fact existed.

Visibly agitated, Dr. Erving exclaimed, “Good day, Mr. Lawson. I would like to see Dr. Bishop's manuscript before anything about this center is published.”

“Certainly, but it needs to be edited first. I'll pass along your request to the estate's agent,” Dan replied.

Halfway down the staircase to the first floor, Trish said to Dan, “How did that conversation turn so fast? Did you need to challenge him so harshly? He probably felt mocked.”

“Necessary? No. Appropriate? Yes.”

“It's a shame how much talking about evolution upsets people,” Trish said.

“No matter what most people say, the strong reaction is not because of what they learn about science.” Dan said. He spoke from experience on this. “It's what they want to believe about the way they want to live that gets them so riled up.”

•  •  •

As they left the evolution gallery, Dan said, “Let's go out the side door. I want to walk by the car that was following us and say hello to the agents inside.”

“You really think that's a good idea?”

“I just want to let them know that we appreciate their service. My old mentor Agent Evans is being overprotective. Those guys aren't following us to find out what we're doing. They're there to keep me from doing anything they consider risky and to keep others away from us. If Evans really thought we were connected to what happened to Stephen, or the explosion at the lab, we wouldn't be able to travel so freely and we wouldn't see our followers so easily.”

“How is bothering them going to improve our chances?”

“I can skip it if it's a problem for you.”

“Please do. It's pointless antagonism that could backfire,” Trish said, heading for the front door. “Come on. Where to now?”

“First the hospital to see Ava, then on to San Diego. We have a promising appointment there,” Dan said with a trace of optimism.

“I like how you seem to believe we'll find what we're looking for,” Trish said.

“I really believe it. And I think it will be very interesting when we do.”

Chapter 50

A
va sat in the orthopedic recliner in her hospital room. She was dressed in regular clothes and reading a book, and she smiled when Dan and Trish walked into the room.

“What are you reading there, squirt?” Dan asked.

“
A Wrinkle in Time.
Daddy gave it to me last week,” Ava replied, her voice wavering.

Dan thought of taking the book from her, knowing it was about a young girl whose scientist father returns after a mysterious disappearance, but then thought better of it.

Trish squatted down next to the chair, combed her fingers through Ava's hair, and kissed her cheek. “Keep your chin up, and we'll get you better again, just like last time. How are you?”

“I get tired and achy. How long will it take to fix me?” Ava asked. Her complexion was pallid.

Dan wondered if treatment had already started to drain her.

Trish hugged Ava's head, then placed her hand on Ava's shoulder and stared into her eyes. Everything seemed to get quiet. Ava's eyes were locked in place, focused on Trish, and seemed to twinkle lightly. Something seemed to pass between Trish and Ava that Dan felt excluded from.

Dan remembered why they were there and pulled his thoughts back. He had to deal with reality, not indulge a childlike wish for a mystical existence that would cure all ills. Evidence to the contrary sat in rooms all around them.

Looking at his watch, Dan said to Trish, “We need to go.”

“Where are you going? When will you be back?” Ava asked plaintively.

Trish replied, “To visit places where they may have some special medicine for you.”

“Where's your mother?” Dan asked Ava.

“Right here,” Nancy replied, walking into the room, followed by a doctor.

His thinning hair was silver, not gray, and he wore black-rimmed glasses. Trish walked over to him, and they discussed Ava's chart in hushed tones in a far corner of the room.

Motioning to the door, Trish said to Dan, “Ready?”

Dan nodded, and they both gave Nancy and Ava hugs.

In the hall, Trish said, “The cancer is remarkably aggressive, hard to treat, and progressing rapidly. I've never seen anything like it. If Stephen had an answer, we need to find it quickly.”

“Isn't there something else you can do?”

“We're doing the standard typing of the cancer cells and matching it against potential treatments. We'll try something based on the results.”

“What about clinical trials of new treatments?”

“Ava's type of cancer doesn't qualify for them,” Trish said quietly.

“Does Nancy know how it looks?”

“Yes. She's so strong. After body blows that would knock down elephants, she gets back up and marches onward.”

“Every time I begin to hope that there is an answer that explains all, I see more senseless suffering. How do you manage it?”

“I find joy in what happiness I can bring others, even if the effect is temporary or the end is not good,” Trish said. She paused, then said, “Excuse me for a minute. I want to check on a few of my patients before we leave.”

With that, Trish walked down the hall. Dan followed along, staying outside the rooms, though noticing how Trish greeted each patient and her demeanor going in and out of each room. He marveled at the warmth and strength that radiated from her.

When she was finished, Trish grabbed Dan by the arm and started to walk toward the exit.

After a few steps, almost sounding angry, Dan said, “I don't understand how people can see all of this and still believe in a loving God.”

She asked, “Why does suffering make you hostile? Is believing there is no answer better than the possibility of an answer you don't like?”

He started, “It began with Grace—” Then he stopped himself.

“I'm not Christian, but I thought grace was supposed to make things better.” Seeing Dan withdraw, she didn't push him for an answer, not yet at least.

“Grace was someone I once knew.”

“What happened?”

“Some other day,” Dan said stoically. “Time to focus on Ava. That's the only answer I'm interested in now.”