In Defense of Science

An interesting AFP headline alerted me to this story this morning, a story is basically about the launch of a book on evolution by the National Academy of Science, titled Science, Evolution and Creationism, designed to to give the public a comprehensive and up-to-date picture of the current scientific understanding of evolution and its importance in the science classroom. The statements accompanying the book publication are the strongest caveats on the dangers of what has been happening in this field of science to be issued (at least to my knowledge) by a major scientific body. Get a load of these remarks made by scientists attending the book launch:

Scientific inquiry is not about accepting on faith a statement or scriptural passage. It's about exploring nature, so there really is not any place in the science classroom for creationism or intelligent design creationism,

We don't teach astrology as an alternative to astronomy, or witchcraft as an alternative to medicine, We must understand the difference between what is and is not science. We must not teach creationism as an alternative to evolution.

Holding deep religious beliefs is not incompatible with believing in evolution.But that's different to saying the two can be taught together in science class, because religion and science are two different ways of knowing about the world. They might not be incompatible but they don't overlap each other's spheres.

Science class should not contain religious attitudes.

Obviously this book has been in the works for a while, but perhaps the specter of someone on the order of the Reverend Gov. Huckabee elected to the position of US president has galvanized scientists into action. After reading this article, I turned to my e-mail, where I found this plea from The Union of concerned Scientists:

I’m writing to ask you to take just five minutes to defend science from political interference.

In February 2004, 62 leading scientists—including many Nobel laureates and former presidential science advisors dating back fifty years—issued a statement to bring attention to the Bush administration's manipulation, suppression, and distortion of science. In the years since, more than 12,000 scientists from all fifty states have endorsed the statement. A complimentary citizens' call-to-action, which echoes the scientists' concerns, has earned support from tens of thousands of non-scientists.

We know that the misuse of science won’t end unless the next administration understands the importance of independent science to informed decisions about our health, safety, and environment. That's why we’re kicking off 2008 by shifting the focus from the misdeeds of this administration to the responsibilities of the next one.

If you are a scientist, you can go here: Scientists Call to Action: Restoring Scientific Integrity in Policymaking to sign the statement. If you are not a scientist, but are in fact a concerned citizen who cares about the future of scientific integrity in policy making, you can sign this companion Integrity of Science Call To Action.

Technorati Tags: reationism, evolution, National Academy of Sciences, scientific integrity, Union of Concerned Scientists

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