Ohio backers brace for attacks on Darwin's theory of evolution

September 7, 2006

(RNS) Ohio scientists are bracing themselves for what they say is another effort to undermine Darwin's theory of evolution.

At issue is a proposal before a State Board of Education committee, which meets Monday (Sept. 11) that would provide science teachers with guidelines for teaching hot-button topics.

Supporters say it addresses something largely missing in Ohio's academic standards: lessons forcing students to think critically about complex issues.

But critics say it is a deliberate attempt to undermine science by encouraging students to question the validity of evolution, stem cell research and global warming.

"There's no scientific controversy associated with any of them," said Case Western Reserve University physicist Lawrence Krauss. "They are socially controversial issues, not scientifically controversial. By calling something controversial, you cast aspersions on it."

Nonsense, said board member Deborah Owens Fink, who supports the proposal. Fink said one of the frequent criticisms of academic standards is that too often students learn facts and information just to pass a test.

"There's nothing sinister or undercover here," Fink said. "Students should be able to debate and discuss these kinds of issues. Anyone who says students shouldn't is, I think, the group that has some kind of agenda."

It was not clear whether the proposal will be voted on by the board's Achievement Committee when it meets Monday, but critics of the proposal are taking no chances.

Campaign to Defend the Constitution, which calls itself an online grass-roots movement, has flooded board members with more than 14,000 e-mails urging them to reject the proposal.

-- Scott Stephens