Definition of Information Content of DNA

[RobJim]

One of my hobbies is to debate with Creationists about the origin and mechanism of speciation of life. One of their common claims has this basic structure:

Information cannot increase without intelligent intervention.

I've asked for their definitions of 'information' so I can explore the claim, but except for one guy who offered Werner Gitt's definition (something about information being partially defined as a result of intelligent intervention), which clearly does not lead to a very strong claim, I generally can't get a good answer.

So, when my biochem professor mentioned something about the definition of information today, my ears perked up. Unfortunately I missed most of what he said as I was half asleep and his comment was tangent to the discussion anyway.

He said something about information being defined as DNA sequences which don't vary much. The less they vary the more information is present. I think he might have been talking about E. coli promoters; or, he might have been talking about ribosomes.

Does anyone know anything more about this? I'm really curious.

[biostudent84]

RobJim-

While I am a staunch Evolutionist, I must caution you here. Debating with Creationists is a very dangerous thing. It is one thing to defend your views when they are attacked. It is quite another to attack another's.

Please remember, that the Creationists know they are right, just as you know you are.

Kyle

[MrMistery]

I will ask this to my religion teacher. He is a really cool guy who has graduated from a physics and a chemistry faculty.

[Jelanen]

Heh, I would never use that particular argument mainly cause I'm not sure I can give a good definition of information without resorting to Wikipedia or Websters. Oh, btw. I'm a molecular biologist and a creationist. Best part is I can argue the point and never bring God into it.
-Jelanen