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From these similarities, an evolutionist infers that all life is related through one original life form.

From these similarities, an evolutionist infers that all life is related through one original life form.

Creationists argue that the inference of common ancestry cannot reasonably be drawn from similarity, for two reasons:

Creationists argue that the inference of common ancestry cannot reasonably be drawn from similarity, for two reasons:

* Similarity is not meaningful evidence of common ancestry

* Similarity is not meaningful evidence of common ancestry

Researchers estimate that 1% of the human genome is occupied by retroviruses, constituting approximately 30,000 different retroviruses.<ref>Sverdlov, E. D. (2000) "Retroviruses and primate evolution." BioEssays 22: 161-171. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10655035&dopt=AbstractPlus]</ref>  Some of these viruses are shared by humans and apes.  <ref>Lebedev, Y. B., Belonovitch, O. S., Zybrova, N. V, Khil, P. P., Kurdyukov, S. G., Vinogradova, T. V., Hunsmann, G., and Sverdlov, E. D. (2000) "Differences in HERV-K LTR insertions in orthologous loci of humans and great apes." Gene 247: 265-277.[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10773466&dopt=AbstractPlus]</ref>

Researchers estimate that 1% of the human genome is occupied by retroviruses, constituting approximately 30,000 different retroviruses.<ref>Sverdlov, E. D. (2000) "Retroviruses and primate evolution." BioEssays 22: 161-171. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10655035&dopt=AbstractPlus]</ref>  Some of these viruses are shared by humans and apes.  <ref>Lebedev, Y. B., Belonovitch, O. S., Zybrova, N. V, Khil, P. P., Kurdyukov, S. G., Vinogradova, T. V., Hunsmann, G., and Sverdlov, E. D. (2000) "Differences in HERV-K LTR insertions in orthologous loci of humans and great apes." Gene 247: 265-277.[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10773466&dopt=AbstractPlus]</ref>

From these facts, evolutionists argue that these retroviruses are shared by humans and primates because they were inherited by a common ancestor.  However, in making this inference, they ignore the observed fact that many retroviruses can infect both humans and apes.  The most notable of these is [[HIV]], which is widely believed to have originated as [[SIV]] in chimpanzees, but can also infect humans and other monkeys.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5012268.stm</ref>  It is entirely possible, therefore, that humans and apes were ''independently infected'' with the same virus, and therefore shared endogenous retroviruses do not provide any meaningful evidence of common ancestry.

From these facts, evolutionists argue that these retroviruses are shared by humans and primates because they were inherited by a common ancestor.   

 

However, in making this inference, they ignore the observed fact that many retroviruses can infect both humans and apes.  The most notable of these is [[HIV]], which is widely believed to have originated as [[SIV]] in chimpanzees, but can also infect humans and other monkeys.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5012268.stm</ref>  It is entirely possible, therefore, that humans and apes were ''independently infected'' with the same virus, and therefore shared endogenous retroviruses do not provide any meaningful evidence of common ancestry.

Additionally, scientists have determined that some endogenous retroviruses are indispensible.<ref>http://agnews.tamu.edu/dailynews/stories/ANSC/Sep1106b.htm</ref>  This presents the possibility that retroviruses were used as part of the creative process.

Additionally, scientists have determined that some endogenous retroviruses are indispensible.<ref>http://agnews.tamu.edu/dailynews/stories/ANSC/Sep1106b.htm</ref>  This presents the possibility that retroviruses were used as part of the creative process.