Evolution Creation Debate

The Evolution Creation Debate will be examined on todays broadcast of the BBC's flagship science program Horizon. For the series over 2000 Britons were surveyed, and were asked what best described their view of the origin and development of life:

22% chose creationism
17% opted for intelligent design
48% selected evolution theory
and the rest did not know.

It was announced Tuesday that 27 new animal species have been discovered in the caves of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California. Among the discoveries is a wood louse so translucent that its internal organs are visible, including its bright yellow liver.

Park officials said the cave-dwelling invertebrates can tell scientists a lot about evolution because of their sensitivity to surroundings.

Joel Despain, who helped explore the caves, is quoted as saying 'Not only are these animals new to science, but they're adapted to very specific environments — some of them, to a single room in one cave'

Friday the Utah Senate voted 17-12 for bill SB96 which requires teachers to discuss alternatives to evolution. It still needs approval from the state's House of Representatives and Governor to become law.

Sen Scott McCoy proposed an ammendment that replaced reference to 'origins of life' with 'scientific'. He said evolution shouldn't be singled out if the aim of the bill was to critically analyze scientific theories upon which some scientists disagree on. The amendment failed.

If the law passes it is expected to be challenged in court by the American Civil Liberties Union. They contend that courts look not only at the letter of the law but the intent of lawmakers when determining if legislation is constitutional.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State on behalf of 11 parents filed suit January 10 against the El Tejon Unified School District in Lebec, California to stop a course they say advocates Intelligent Design and other concepts of creationism. The course taught at the Frazier Mountain High School is categorized as a philosophy class and is elective.

On the American United website Executive Director Barry Lynn says "Religious Right activists are looking for every opportunity to proselytize students into their doctrines. The so-called ‘philosophy’ course in Lebec is the latest maneuver in a long line of misguided schemes. This situation has nothing to do with academic freedom or teaching critical thinking."

Science popularizer Jay Ingram has an article in today's Toronto Star. He asks the question: If there is intelligent design, why do imperfections abound? For instance, the human eye is built backwards, with the light-gathering retina positioned behind nerves and blood vessels.