The Cell's Design: How Chemistry Reveals the Creator's Artistry

by Fazale Rana

Armed with cutting-edge techniques, biochemists have unwittingly uncovered startling molecular features inside the cell that compel only one possible conclusion--a supernatural agent must be responsible for life. Destined to be a landmark apologetic work, The Cell's Design explores the full scientific and theological impact of these discoveries. Instead of focusing on the inability of natural processes to generate life's chemical systems (as nearly all apologetics works do), Fazale Rana makes a positive case for life's supernatural basis by highlighting the many biochemical features that reflect the Creator's hallmark signature.
This breakthrough work extends the case for design beyond irreducible complexity. These never-before-discussed evidences for design will evoke awe and amazement at God's creative majesty in the remarkable elegance of the cell's chemistry.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Evolution, Intelligent Design, Christian

336 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2008

About the author

Biochemist Fazale “Fuz” Rana is president, CEO, and senior scholar at Reasons to Believe (RTB).

He earned a BS in chemistry with highest honors from West Virginia State College (now University) and a PhD in chemistry with an emphasis in biochemistry from Ohio University. He pursued postdoctoral studies on cell membranes at the Universities of Virginia and Georgia and worked as a senior scientist in research and development at Procter & Gamble. Additionally, Rana has been published in multiple peer-reviewed scientific journals and delivered numerous presentations at international scientific meetings.

He was also featured in Museum of the Bible’s Scripture and Science exhibit in Washington, DC.

Reviews

[Anthony Edridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have never read about the amazing complexities of living cells, this book will astound you. Rana makes a very compelling case that life was no accident, that there had to be design. This applies not only to the complexity of cellular molecules and processes, but even more so to the background functions of quality control, optimized error rates, and clean up. Such practices do not happen by accident, even in our factories.

Sometimes likened to the complexity of New York City, Rana shows the living cell to be much more intricate and with far better planning. Also it does not have the signs of haphazard development by humans or by chance.

[Cody Fulfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very technical book to read but worth the effort. Read without any distractions.

[Hasanul Banna Siam · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is primarily a Molecular Biology book that puts Biological science in the case of Theology in order to defend the Intelligent Design (ID) theory. The examples provided in the book with appropriate logic can be highly convincing -- which makes the writer moderately successful in his work.

The writing style is plain and simple, but it's purely academic. Hence, it can get a little boring some times. However, the reason why i will still recommend this book to read because it is highly informative and every Life Science student should get to know these stuffs to enhance his/her world view.

Although the writer explained the Biological Mechanism of different processes, but i think prior knowledge of Biology will be handy to fully understand the whole thing. Above all, a very good book for thought.

[Joelostin stinnxe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book to read

[Daniel W Mackey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Rana builds a solid case for the intelligent design of life on the cellular level. He demonstrates a mastery of academic secular peer-reviewed literature, satisfying the intellect of life scientists such as myself. Indeed, this book gives me a new appreciation for all the things I learned in college, medical school, internship, residency, and fellowship. After reading The Cell's Design: How Chemistry Reveals the Creator's Artistry, it is clear to me that the burden of proof rests upon skeptics to build a case for life outside of intelligent design.

[Frank Peters · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not pleasant to read. While I am mostly aligned with the viewpoint of the author (and Reason to Believe), I was not happy with the book. Theoretically, one did not need to be an expert in biology to read the book. However, Chapters 5 and 6 were mostly incomprehensible (I almost gave up reading and gave a 1 star review). Prior to those chapters, I was reading the book carefully, but had to give this up and instead read it quickly to get the main ideas. The purpose of the book was to present a large amount of evidence of intelligent design with God as creator. Much of the book does this well, although portions were rather weak: I found myself disagreeing, and I am aligned (I can only imagine how much someone who was sceptical of the authors viewpoint would disagree). A number of key arguments from those who would argue for naturalistic/atheistic evolution have been neglected, which is a shame. For this type of book really needs to address the most significant arguments: e.g. why were millions of years of death required? Like the author, I believe that the complexity of the life creates an ever-increasing scientific argument for an intelligent creator. This particular book may well comfort those who are inclined to agree with the author, but I don’t think will convince any who wouldn’t already be favourably disposed to his opinions.

[Glen Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I thought it was well written. I liked the way art was used as an analogy. While this was a high level over view of the design and complexity in a cell it was enlightening. If you have an understanding of molecular biology you would get more out of the book but you can follow the reasoning well enough to enjoy the book. I would recommend reading this.

[Danny Barulli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely technical in some parts. But I appreciate the challenges presented for evolution without simply saying, "ID must be it."

[Jayde Schwerin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biology and Science cannot lie. A very interesting read from cover to end.

[Rebekah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried long and hard to think of something positive to say about this book. All I can come up with is that all the scientific information in the book is accurate and he cites the hell out of that information.

That's honestly about it. The science is presented in a very dry and uninteresting way and is so technical that it would surely confuse or turn away anyone who doesn't have a Chemistry or Biochemistry background. His entire premise is also based on a fallacy (confirming the consequent) and most of the other arguments are very weak. His use of Wikipedia for all the art citations seemed weird next to the extensive scientific citations of academic journals and papers. The book seemed to be written for a very narrow audience.

Overall it was not very engaging and failed to show how the cell's apparent design shows that there is a creator.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fascinating but difficult and intense read, with way more details about biochemical processes and systems than I was able to comprehend. It hit my radar screen while reading Why the Universe Is the Way It Is, by Hugh Ross, and although I'm glad I read this, it was brutal at times! I didn't care for the somewhat quirky comparisons to the art world at the start of each chapter - they seemed like a stretch and just didn't add much for me.

[Heather]

This book comes out in June. I am reading a review copy, and before you think that's cool or something, just remember it's an apologetics book written by a chemist. There's only three apologists/chemists that I know of, and I'm one of them, so it's more by default that I received a review copy!

[Ernie Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a technically hard read. The arguments are sound but you have to wade through a lot of biochemistry. The author says that it is a sequel to another book which he co-authored entitled Origins of Life. I haven't read that yet.

[Judy]

very in depth and difficult to understand the details, but not the concept. Life isn't an accident.

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good complement to Dr. Meyer's "Signature in the Cell"

[Sergio Alonso Méndez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evidencias en el diseño de la célula de la existencia de un Creador. A veces muy técnico.

[محمد اکبر · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome presentation on Intelligent Design (ID).