White grape gene found, according to a report in CSIRO Science Alert 3 March 2007 and The Australian, 5 March, p7. Scientists have identified the genes that determine whether grapes are white or red. There are two genes that differ in red and white varieties. Japanese scientists had previously found a gene that controls the production of anthocyanins (colour pigments) and the CSIRO scientists have now found another gene involved in the colour production pathway that is different in red and white varieties.
Mandy Walker of CSIRO Pant Industry laboratory, Adelaide, Australia, who led the new study explained: “Our research suggests that extremely rare and independent mutations in two genes produced a single white grapevine that was the parent of almost all of the world’s white grape varieties. If only one gene had been mutated, most grapes would still be red and we would not have the more than 3000 white grape cultivars available today.”
Editorial Comment: Grapes may have changed from red to white, but the change involved a loss of genetic information – the opposite of evolution. In spite of the hundreds of cultivars of grapes they are provably all the one Kind, and do only produce grapes. This is exactly what you would expect to happen based on Genesis, which tells us God created living things to reproduce according to their kinds. Grapes still do this, in spite of losing a few genes. The loss of genes also fits Genesis, which tells us the world has been going from creation to degeneration due to human sin and God’s judgement. (Ref. fruit, colour, genetics)
Evidence News 14 March 2007