Page 19 - WOTS_Issue_70

A Mystery

G

reek philosopher and scientist Aristotle
discovered the “Glowing Mushroom” some
2,300 years ago. In an article published on
March 19, 2015, Patrick J. Kiger explains that
Aristotle referred to the “Glowing Mushrooms” as a “cold
fire” on rotting wood in a forest. Some bioluminescent
mushrooms can still be found in Brazil’s Coconut Forest.
According to locals, as dusk approaches, a green glow can
be seen coming from the mushrooms especially during
humid nights after hot days with afternoon showers.
would some bacteria evolve to spend their energy making
The glow leaves scientists searching for more information light? There seems to be no rhyme or reason why certain
about these mushrooms. The quest to find out just what organisms produce light and others—even those similar in
3
that green glow does for the mushrooms led researchers every other way—don’t.”
to debunk bioluminescence, the production and emission
of light by a living organism. Research by Dr. Jay Dunlap Creationists believe God created the Earth and everything
and Dr. Cassius Stevani showed that a temperature- in it. Is that correct? Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell had this to say
compensated circadian clock controls these glowing in an article titled “God’s Design for Bioluminescence:”
mushrooms. "It appears that fungi make light so they are “Random evolution, through natural processes, cannot
noticed by insects that can help the fungus colonize new account for the biodiversity of bioluminescence or the
1
habitats," says Dr. Cassius Stevani. Light coming from the plethora of biochemical routes by which diverse
mushrooms attracts insects including beetles, flies, wasps, organisms produce and regulate their light. But a wise
and ants. It was that discovery that led the researchers to Creator, who like a good engineer has designed many
suspect that the mushrooms' light must serve some useful variations of this useful ability, can. Bioluminescence, in its
purpose. An article published in Current Biology by U.S. many forms and functions, is a grand illustration of God’s
and Brazilian researchers made an interesting comparison: wise design.”
“Basically, these mushrooms turn
themselves into a natural version of the
neon sign in the local bar and grill, in
2
order to attract insect visitors.”

Evolutionary scientists are baffled by
the green glow of these mushrooms.
“Why, evolutionary scientists wonder,
1 http://www.bioquicknews.com/node/2445
2 https://answersingenesis.org/evidence-for-creation/design-in-nature/gods-design-for-
bioluminescence/
3
http://www.seeker.com/some-mushrooms-glow-and-heres-why-1769625277.html