DNA in “Ancient” Bacteria

In 2000, scientists claimed to have “resurrected” bacteria, named Lazarus bacteria,
discovered in a salt crystal conventionally dated at 250 million years old.
They were shocked that the bacteria’s DNA was very similar to modern bacterial
DNA. If the modern bacteria were the result of 250 million years of evolution,
its DNA should be very different from the Lazarus bacteria (based on known mutation
rates).

In addition, the scientists were surprised to find that the DNA was still intact
after the supposed 250 million years. DNA normally breaks down quickly, even
in ideal conditions. Even evolutionists agree that DNA in bacterial spores (a
dormant state) should not last more than a million years. Their quandary is
quite substantial.

However, the discovery of Lazarus bacteria is not shocking or surprising when
we base our expectations on the Bible accounts. For instance, Noah’s Flood likely
deposited the salt beds that were home to the bacteria. If the Lazarus bacteria
are only about 4,500 years old (the approximate number of years that have passed
since the worldwide flood), their DNA is more likely to be intact and similar
to modern bacteria.

Rescuing Devices

Some scientists have dismissed the finding and believe the Lazarus bacteria
are contamination from modern bacteria. But the scientists who discovered the
bacteria defend the rigorous procedures used to avoid contamination. They claim
the old age is valid if the bacteria had longer generation times, different
mutation rates, and/or similar selection pressures compared to modern bacteria.
Of course these “rescuing devices” are only conjectures to make the data fit
their worldview.

Resources

Andy Coghlan, “Eternal Life,” New Scientist, October 18, 2000, http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn82-eternal-life.html.

Russell H. Vreeland, William D. Rosenzweig, and Dennis W. Powers, “Isolation
of a 250 million-year-old Halotolerant Bacterium from a Primary Salt Crystal,”
Nature 407 (2000): 897–900, http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v407/n6806/abs/407897a0.html
(link to abstract).

R. H. Vreeland and W. D. Rosenzweig, “The Question of Uniqueness of Ancient
Bacteria,” Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, 28 (2002):
32–41, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1038/sj/jim/7000174.

David C. Nickle, et al., “Curiously Modern DNA for a “250 million-year-old”
Bacterium,” Journal of Molecular Evolution 54 (2002): 134–137, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11734907
(link to abstract).

Dr. Georgia Purdom is a speaker and researcher for Answers in Genesis. She earned her doctorate from Ohio State University in molecular genetics and spent six years as a professor of biology at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University.