Biomimicry, Butterflies, and Bank Fraud

by  Eric Lyons, M.Min.

From cocklebur-inspired Velcro® to robotic lobsters, scientists are increasingly looking to imitate the
wonders of life. In the field of biomimicry (derived from the Greek words bios, meaning “life,” and
mimesis, meaning “to imitate”) scientists, researchers, and engineers worldwide turn their attention to
God’s creation to inspire new, intricately designed, man-made products to improve human life and
solve various dilemmas.

Recently, professors Mathias Kolle and Ullrich Baumberg of the University of Cambridge studied the
microscopic structures in the wing scales of the Swallowtail butterfly in hopes of mimicking its
magnificent colors (see “Vivid...,” 2010). The colors of these tropical butterflies are strikingly bright
because of the shape of the microscopic structures and because “they are made up of alternate layers
of cuticle and air” (“Vivid...”). Amazingly, Kolle and Baumberg have been successful at making
“structurally identical copies of the butterfly scales,” purportedly even with “the same vivid colours as
the butterflies’ wings.” How exactly do Kolle and Baumberg believe these “color copies” could be used
for the benefit of mankind? They believe the artificial structures “could be used to encrypt information
in optical signatures on bank notes or other valuable items to protect them against forgery.... [W]e
could see structures based on butterflies’ wings shining from a...note or even our passports.”

It is entirely appropriate for scientists to look to nature for the inspiration of their inventions. After all,
“the whole Earth is full of His [God’s] glory” (Isaiah 6:3, emp. added). The infinite, omniscient Creator
made marvelous, living creatures, including butterflies, for man to use, study, and learn from in this
life (Genesis 1:28). Sadly, many scientists today refuse to consider the most important thing to be
learned from all of the animals and plants they study and seek to imitate: they all declare the glory of
God. Nature did not assemble itself (as Kolle proposed in his discussion of the Swallowtail butterfly).
Mindless matter and the random, chance processes of evolution fail on every account to explain the
intricate design of even the smallest of living creatures. The designs in nature that intelligent human
beings seek to copy demand an adequate explanation; they demand a grand Designer.

For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God (Hebrews 3:4).

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood
by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without
excuse (Romans 1:20).

REFERENCE
“Vivid Colours of Butterflies Could Help Cut Bank Fraud” (2010), The Economic Times, May 31,
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/Vivid-colours-of-butterflies-
could-help-cut-bank-fraud/articleshow/5993979.cms.

Copyright © 2010 Apologetics Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

We are happy to grant permission for items in the "Creation Vs. Evolution" section to be reproduced in
part or in their entirety, as long as the following stipulations are observed: (1) Apologetics Press must be
designated as the original publisher; (2) the specific Apologetics Press Web site URL must be noted; (3)
the author’s name must remain attached to the materials; (4) textual alterations of any kind are strictly
forbidden; (5) Some illustrations (e.g., photographs, charts, graphics, etc.) are not the intellectual
property of Apologetics Press and as such cannot be reproduced from our site without consent from the
person or organization that maintains those intellectual rights; (6) serialization of written material (e.g.,
running an article in several parts) is permitted, as long as the whole of the material is made available,
without editing, in a reasonable length of time; (7) articles, excepting brief quotations, may not be offered
for sale or included in items offered for sale; and (8) articles may be reproduced in electronic form for
posting on Web sites pending they are not edited or altered from their original content and that credit is
given to Apologetics Press, including the web location from which the articles were taken.
For catalog, samples, or further information, contact:

Apologetics Press
230 Landmark Drive
Montgomery, Alabama 36117
U.S.A.
Phone (334) 272-8558

http://www.apologeticspress.org