Vestigial Organs
Evolution Says....
The Facts Are .....
Fact #1
German anatomist, Wiedershein, listed 180 supposed vestigial structures in the human body, indicating that they were left over from our evolution. Since that time, most have been shown to have a useful function, some being vital for the body's well being. Vestigial organs cannot therefore be used as 'proof' of evolution. Albert S. Romer, "The Vertebrate Body", W.B. Saunders Co, 1949 p:363; Evolutionary Theory, Vol. 5, May 1981 p:173
Fact #2
The appendix has long been categorized as a useless vestigial organ, but this is totally inaccurate.
Since the 1960’s it has been scientifically known that it has an important lymphatic and antibody production function, as part of the body’s immune system. See Dr Jerry Bergman and Dr George Howe’s review of the scientific literature in their book “Vestigial Organs are Fully Functional”, CRS Monograph Series No. 4, 1993
Fact #3
"This [appendix] is frequently cited as a vestigial organ supposedly proving something or other about evolution. This is not the case." Written by Professor Albert S. Romer in his book "The Vertebrate Body", W.B. Saunders Co, 1949 p:363
(4) "People sometimes speak of it [the appendix] as a vestigial organ, as though it were a useless remnant of a long cecum like that of a rabbit. It is not.” Written by Matt Cartmill and others in the book “Human Structure”, Harvard University Press (1987) p:136
(5) An organ that is claimed to be an evolutionary vestigial structure is the thymus, situated near the heart. A series of experiments at the Chester Beatty Cancer Research Institute (London), demonstrated that the thymus imprints on a person the ability to distinguish between what is 'self' and what is not 'self'. This vital ability is essential for the body's defence system to operate effectively against foreign bodies such as disease organisms. Lancet, Vol. 2, 1961 p:748-749
(6) Part of the body's immunity in the thymus is the presence of lymphocyte type T & B cells (one of the white blood cells). The tonsils and the appendix are also full of these cells, indicating their role in the body's immune system. They are not evolutionary vestigial organs at all. Jerry Bergman and George Howe (1993), “Vestigial Organs are Fully Functional”, CRS Monograph Series No. 4, 1993 p:47-49
(7) "The fatal flaw in the argument from vestigial organs is exposed by modern genetics. Basically, the concept of vestigial organs represents a return to Lamarckism where the development or loss of a structure is based upon need. It is now known, however, that organs can only be altered by a genetic alteration in the chromosomes, or DNA. The use or disuse of an organ has no effect whatsoever on subsequent generations. Even if the concept of vestigial organs were valid, it still would not lend support to evolution since it implies structures on the way out, not in. Nascent organs, those under construction into a functional unit, are completely non-existent. This fact serves as a powerful argument against organic evolution." Written by Scott M. Huse, in his book "The Collapse of Evolution", Baker Book House: Grand Rapids (USA), 1983 p:107
(8) As far back as the early 1980’s, it was known that vestigial organs do not prove evolution.
“Vestigial organs provide no evidence for evolutionary theory.” Written by S.R. Scadding in the article “Do Vestigial Organs Provide Evidence for Evolution?” in Evolutionary Theory, 1981, Vol. 5 p:176