Lungless Frog

Just this morning, if you do pick up the Straits Times, I spotted an article describing the discovery of a species of lungless frogs (Barbourula kalimantanensis) by an NUS research team. While there are 3 other lungless vertebrates already discovered, this is the first recorded frog species to lack such organs.

Supposedly the lack of lungs benefited the frog in that a source of buoyancy (air in lungs) was removed. This allows the frog to remain on the riverbed in turbulent currents. In addition, the relative 'flatness' of the frog gave it more surface area through which gas exchange could occur, to compensate for it's lunglessness.

Though as interesting as this unique creature is, it was the attached evolutionary tag that prompted me to type this post, for the frog was described as making evolutionary history (being an unusual specimen). That is most disturbing: it shows that the ideas of evolution have so contaminated biology that even a new discovery is said to display evolution. Undoubtedly there are possible explanations to the creature's apparent 'disability', without having to resort to evolution, as described below.

1. The frog was intelligently designed to survive in a particular habitat (one of cold oxygen-rich but fast waters).
2. The frog's ancestors have indeed undergone mutation(s) such that their DNA is no longer able to cause lungs to develop. However this is a degenerative loss of genetic information, although it would seem beneficial to the frog in it's environment. This adaptation cannot amount to evolution as nothing new has been developed, instead an organ has been 'amputated' genetically.

As may be drawn from the presentation of information in the article, the development of the frog was factually described as a product of evolution. Therein lies the danger; giving the process of evolution as the reason behind the frog's existence so very subtly changes people's worldviews - one of an eons-old earth. This practically undermines a person's belief in God, as attributing the uniqueness of a creature to anything but God is denying his power in Creation.

The lesson here is that a person ought to be discerning: even a regulated media such as Singapore's may well publish inaccurate articles, claiming the unverified to be true. Also, it shows persecution still exists despite our relative peace, taking the form of the concept of a world without God.

On the bright side, the scientists still seem to somewhat recognise their (and our) position as stewards of the earth. Conservative measures are likely to be carried out in the endangered frog's habitat soon. Despite that, I am still reminded of a particular verse, Romans 8:22 "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. " Verily from the fall of man onwards sin plagues so many things. Regarding this issue of a lungless frog, human weakness can be seen in the following:

1. The exploitation of the environment (mining and deforestation) leading to a decrease in habitat area of the frog.
2. The deceived, God-rejecting, mindset of the scientists.
3. The ease at which ideas of evolution and eons is published as fact.
4. If the frog is a product of mutation, that such degeneration occurs.

Articles about the discovery may be found at the following websites. Note that all these articles possess an evolutionary bias.
http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_225610.html
http://www.nus.edu.sg/corporate/research/gallery/research137.htm
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/04/080407-lungless-frog_2.html