The imaginary mechanism of Darwinism
5:44
7 Aug 2007
Evolution, Biology
Oktar Babuna
In this video, Oktar Babuna, a member of Harun Yahya’s group, discusses his views of the role of mutations in natural selection and evolution. He suggests that natural selection has no evolutionary power, and that mutations are only harmful or neutral.
Evaluation:
The material on Islam is within the bounds of what Muslims have historically understood as acceptable.
Part of what Babuna says about evolution is correct: mutations occur naturally across a population, and when changes in the environment occur, some individuals are better able to survive than others. But this has nothing to do with weak or sick individuals; for evolutionary change to occur, there needs to be adaptation to an environment, not mere survival. As Babuna notes, mutations may be neutral or harmful. However, his assertion about the failure to find beneficial mutations in fruit flies is incorrect. See this 2010 article.
There is insufficient historical material upon which to base an evaluation.
About Oktar Babuna
Born 1963 in Istanbul, Turkey, Oktar Babuna is known for being the personal representative and advisor of Harun Yahya, one of the world’s most famous Muslim creationists. Babuna is a formally trained medical doctor specializing in neurosurgery. Having graduated from Istanbul University Medical School in 1987, Babuna went on to pursue research in molecular biology at the University of California San Francisco Medical School and the University of California Berkeley Donner Lawrence Laboratories. He eventually specialized in neurosurgery at New York University (NYU) in 1996, though it is unclear whether he received his degree in 1996 or simply started his studies at NYU in 1996.
Babuna’s work now focuses on research surrounding faith and evolution, a topic on which he lectures regularly, especially on mass media outlets and in representation of Harun Yahya. In addition, he also authored a chapter in the book Divine Action and Natural Selection: Science, Faith, and Evolution. As of 2015, Babuna operates Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages in Turkish.
Selected Bibliography:
Babuna, Oktar. “Dr. Oktar Babuna.” LinkedIn. LinkedIn, n.d. Accessed 09 June 2015.
Babuna, Oktar. Facebook. Facebook, n.d. Accessed 09 June 2015.
Babuna, Oktar. Instagram. Instagram, n.d. Accessed 09 June 2015.
Babuna, Oktar. Twitter. Twitter, n.d. Accessed 09 June 2015.
“Dr. Ahmet Oktar Babuna.” Islamic Events. IslamicSG, n.d. Accessed 09 June 2015.
“Oktar Babuna.” Goodreads. N.p., n.d. Accessed 09 June 2015.
Piazza, Judyth. “Judyth Piazza Chats with Dr. Oktar Babuna.” The SOP. N.p., n.d. Accessed 09 June 2015.