Evolution Back In the News

Several states have recently introduced legislation pertaining to the teaching of evolution in high school classrooms. In the past month, state legislatures in both Florida and Tennessee have introduced bills that would force teachers to adopt a “critical thinking” approach to the teaching of evolution. Analysis of the proposed bills finds that they do little to provide the nation’s students with a robust scientific education, but rather open the door for the teaching of theology-based concepts of creationism and intelligent design.  The Florida Academy of Science criticized the effort for allowing “the introduction in the public school curriculum of nonscientific and covertly religious doctrines.”

After teaching of intelligent design was resolutely rejected by a 2005 ruling in Dover, PA, proponents shifted tactics.  Attempting to delegitimize the tenets of evolution, creationism was rebranded as “critical thinking,” a shrewd move which has unfortunately proven to be successful.  In 2008, Louisiana passed the Louisiana Science Education Act, which instructed educators to promote “open and objective discussion of scientific theories being studied including, but not limited to, evolution, the origins of life, global warming, and human cloning.”  The bill was derided by scientists and educators nationally, but ultimately was signed into law by Governor Bobby Jindal.  In a surprising move, the Louisiana legislature this week introduced a bill that would repeal the LSEA, a move spearheaded by the tireless efforts of high school student Zack Kopplin and his website, www.reprealcreationism.com.

As a society, ASBMB has strongly opposed legislation such as the examples in Florida and Tennessee, noting the error in thinking in defining evolution as mere “scientific theory.”  In May 2009, the society issued the following statement on this issue:

“Evolution is a fundamental organizing principle of biology, and must therefore be taught as an essential part of the science curriculum.  Any explanation of the origin of life not based on science has no place in the science curriculum.”

If your state is considering “anti-evolution” legislation, ASBMB encourages you to write your state representatives, as well as the editors of your local papers, to explain the importance of science, and only science, being taught in science class.  If you should so require, ASBMB Public Affairs staff (contact: publicaffairs@asbmb.org) can help you craft and submit a message.

Recent Reports Highlight STEM Education

STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education has been the focus of a series of reports released by different governmental agencies within the past few weeks.

Feedback sought for new science-education standards

The National Academies’ Board on Science Education began soliciting feedback from the public Wednesday on its draft of a new framework for K-12 science-education standards.

“Evolutionary love story” celebrates Darwin’s legacy

On March 22, a new play celebrating Charles Darwin’s impact debuted at the Bethesda Theatre in Maryland. Performed by the Catalyst Collaborative@MIT, From Orchids to Octopi: An Evolutionary Love Story was commissioned by the National Institutes of Health as part of Evolution Revolution, a celebration of Darwin’s 200th birthday and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species.

Italian science agency funds creationist book

Science Insider is reporting that Italy’s foremost science agency funded the publication of a creationist book authored by its own vice president.  Entitled “Evolutionism: the decline of an hypothesis,” the book was funded by the Italian National Research Council and authored by Roberto de Mattei, a professor of the history of Christianity and Catholicism at the European University of Rome and a vice president of the council.  The book is based on the proceedings of a conference on the same topic that was sponsored by the council in February.  Among its creationist claims, the book asserts that fossil-dating methods are wrong and that dinosaurs have been extinct for only 40,000 years ago.

Read the full story on Science Insider.

“Growing Pains” for evolution

CNN reports that actor Kirk Cameron has teamed up with Living Waters to promote a version of Darwin’s Origin of the Species with a creationist introduction.  In critiquing evolution, the introduction makes personal attacks on Darwin, claiming that he was a sexist, a racist and is undeniably linked to Adolph Hitler.  Ken Miller, professor at Brown University and staunch defender of the teaching of evolution, defends the original version.

Watch CNN’s coverage here.

Support for creationism growing abroad

The American Institute of Biological Sciences is reporting that creationism may be on the rise across the globe.  One study indicates that a greater percentage of Britons than Americans would like intelligent design and creationism taught alongside evolution in public schools.  Belief in creationism may also be growing in the Muslim world as part of a larger rejection of western values.

The second coming: creationism reborn

On Friday, Nov. 6, evolution advocates detailed the latest efforts by opponents to allow for the teaching of religious-based criticisms of evolution in public schools. In a somber series of remarks, experts on the American creationism movement described its recent successes and its effects on America’s ability to compete globally.

Eugenie Scott, executive director of the National Center for Science Education, described laws that allow the teaching of challenges to evolution as “coming soon to a community near you.”