Strong Opposition to Anti-Evolution Measures Amidst Teacher Gathering

ST. LOUIS — Today, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), recognized as the largest general scientific body globally, issued a forceful objection against proposed laws and policies that could weaken the teaching of evolution. These measures, the AAAS argued, could rob students of the necessary education to thrive in a technologically advanced and global society.

In the United States, at least 14 proposed laws, such as Missouri HB 1266, aim to dilute science education through various approaches and wording. “All of these proposed laws share a common goal: they would significantly weaken science education,” stated Gilbert S. Omenn, AAAS President and a professor at the University of Michigan. He emphasized, “These are direct attacks on the integrity of science and science education, threatening not only evolution education but also the broader understanding of biological, physical, and geological sciences.”

The legislation in question spans several states, including Alabama, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Utah, each proposing measures that range from discrediting evolution by highlighting so-called flaws or scientific disagreements to encouraging the exploration of intelligent design and other nonscientific alternatives.

The AAAS board firmly stated that there is no significant scientific controversy over the validity of evolution, describing it as a cornerstone of modern science, robust and broadly accepted. This assertion aligns with their prior statements and is supported by legal rulings like the December 2005 decision by Judge John E. Jones III, which underscored that intelligent design is based on religious belief, not science.

AAAS officials reiterated that science and religion are compatible, as they address fundamentally different aspects of human inquiry. Many religious leaders concur, seeing no conflict between evolution and religious teachings, a view widely accepted within the scientific community.

Evolution on the Front Line Event

Coinciding with these announcements, AAAS launched the “Evolution on the Front Line” event, a special session for K-12 educators held during the AAAS 2006 Annual Meeting in St. Louis on February 19. This initiative, free for educators, scientists, policymakers, students, and the media, was organized in collaboration with over thirty leading educational and scientific organizations.

“The aim of the ‘Evolution on the Front Line’ event is to empower teachers to discuss evolution openly and to determine how the scientific community can best support them,” Omenn explained. This support is crucial for maintaining the integrity of science education across the U.S., he added.

The event featured a range of speakers, including political figures, television hosts, religious leaders, and educators. Among them were Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO), TV personality Jeff Corwin, and Dr. Peter Raven of the Missouri Botanical Garden, with a scientific panel led by Cornelia Dean from The New York Times.

One interactive aspect of the event involved teachers using instant “clicker-survey” devices to identify major challenges in teaching evolution, with preliminary themes drawn from prior focus groups with local educators and students. These discussions indicated that many teachers shy away from teaching human evolution due to its absence from state testing, and they often feel compelled to frame the subject in ways that might seem equivocal to avoid controversy.

Additional insights revealed that private school teachers typically face less pressure to integrate religious concepts into science lessons compared to their public school counterparts, and students themselves often view the evolution debate as less contentious than adults do.

Recognizing the resilience of educators in the face of these challenges, AAAS honored eight teachers from Dover, Pennsylvania, and Cobb County, Georgia, for their dedication to preserving scientific integrity in the classroom.

Funded by the William T. Golden Endowment Fund for Program Innovation at AAAS, with additional backing from the Geological Survey of America, the event highlighted the essential harmony between scientific inquiry and religious belief, provided they are not mixed in educational settings.

Omenn summed up the sentiment: “We stand with educators to help impart a solid grounding in science and mathematics, ensuring students grasp the true nature of scientific inquiry.”