Getting a PhD says nothing about how smart you are..It merely states that you were successful in research and maybe had some luck along the way..A PhD is a very focused degree.. Many of the PhD's I know, are very well informed about there area of study, but know maybe as much as a good undergraduate in biochem about other areas he's not researching..
Getting into a PhD program is not hard..Look at the entering statistics and, on average, they are lower than for those in medicine..(and in some cases, much lower)
Again, as someone who is going for a PhD (combined degree), I can tell you this, it's NOT about how smart you are, it merely tells someone that you were successful in research..
Now, I'm not discrediting Layne (if I did, I would be discrediting myself, lol), and I'm sure he is above average in intellingence, but just merely pointing out the facts...
Now realize, a degree in biochem w/ honors from a school no one has ever heard of is not all that difficult..