The human body, a marvel of complexity and precision, is a composite of trillions of cells working harmoniously together to sustain the life of the whole. These living cells possess what we might call a mechanical consciousness. They may not possess our mode of self-consciousness, but they must have some kind of consciousness, for, astonishingly, each cell individually seems to “know” its role and act for the benefit of the whole. They know when to generate more cells like themselves, and also when to stop. They know how to come to the aid of any part of the body when it is threatened.
How do they “know” this? No one knows.
Each cell in our living bodies functions as a microscopic manufacturing facility with designated component parts, intricate operating structures, and highly specialized roles. From the DNA residing within the nucleus to the mitochondria producing chemical energy, every component plays a crucial part in the ongoing growth and sustenance of our material life vehicles — our bodies. They are orchestrated and active in every organ and tissue; they form the living operating machinery for our lives. They have a consciousness of their own, and they enable the consciousness of what we call our mind.
A favorite absurd modern materialistic premise is that those trillions of cells formed their coordinated and reproducible living systems, by accident. For an similar absurdity, we could say that all of the bricks, all of the mortar, all of the electrical lines, plumbing systems, all of the roads and road signals, all of the windows, the rebar, the concrete, the steel girders and joists, all of the heating and cooling systems and their sources of energy, all of the street signs and shop windows, all of the underground transportation systems and supporting infrastructure on the island of Manhattan happened, by accident.
I am an architect by training. I know exquisite design when I see it. The design of a myriad of living cells operating conjointly to grow and maintain the human body is an exquisite design.
The design and complexity of life originates in a molecule that is the both the source of the complexity and its reproductive capacity. The DNA molecule — deoxyribose nucleic acid — is the brilliantly conceived life plasm, the substance that engenders new forms of life, sustains existing forms, and insures the reproduction of all organism on earth. Every nucleus of every cell in the body contains the DNA code to create another fully grown organism. The DNA molecule is brimming with information. The precision with which DNA stores and transmits complex genetic instructions is astounding.
Complex evolution did not tumble its way uphill, defying more “natural” entropy by accidentally generating increasingly complex forms of structured organic life. Evolution, rather than being random, surely must have an inherent teleological intent. That intent is imbedded in the design of mechanically “conscious” DNA found in every cell of every organism. The ability of cells to adapt and evolve in response to environmental changes surely must be a deliberate design aimed at ensuring the evolutionary adaptability and survival of all organisms.
The variety of cell types, each uniquely designed to perform specific tasks, constitutes an unparalleled level of specialization. Whether it’s a nerve cell transmitting signals or a red blood cell transporting oxygen, the seamless cooperation among these multifarious specialized entities testifies to the purposeful march of evolutionary life through time.
The delicate balance maintained within the human body, where trillions of cells operate in harmony, is nothing short of miraculous. Homeostasis, the body’s ability to regulate internal conditions, reflects a meticulous design that optimizes the conditions necessary for life. The orchestrated balance between cellular functions and the body’s overall well-being challenges the idea that life is a product of random chance.
As we unravel the mysteries of trillions of cells within our bodies, the evidence for purposeful design becomes increasingly compelling. The intricate complexity, cellular specialization and adaptability, the genius of the DNA encoded nucleus, and the finely-tuned balance of the whole living assembly, bodes for only one reasonable conclusion: The evolution of life in our world has been purposefully designed.