The Yellow Brick Road leads nowhere...

[Stuart G. Poss]

Perhaps an effort on the part of biology department faculties across the
country is needed to monitor this situation closely.  There are a number of
other states, who might be prompted to follow the Yellow Brick Road as it
digresses  into the pre-Darwinian past.  The consequences of a further spread
of  such degenerative thinking, could extend far beyond what Robin and Peter
have already noted.  Any weakening of the biological infrastructure of the
United States at a time when signs of human perturbations of ecosystems are
increasingly evident could be significant indeed.  Already we are at a point in
human history, when all the best new minds available are urgently needed to
address the probable consequences of these perturbations.

If students from Kansas are put on notice that they may be required to pass an
exam in biology, including evolutionary theory (as if it could somehow be
taught any other way) or otherwise desmonstrate competency prior to admission
at out-of-state schools, it might encourage them to enlighten their state
legislators.

It would be interesting to learn more from those at Kansas universities, where
Biology is taught as to how they see this situation developing.  It would
certainly seem that those in Kansas have the most to loose, but what kind of a
response from the rest of the scientific community would be most helpful to
those in Kansas more enlightened than their present crop of legislators?

Robin Leech wrote:

> And, there may be far-reaching implications regarding biology students
> graduating from Kansas who wish to go elsewhere for studies in biology where
> evolution is taught.
>
> Robin Leech
>
> Subject: The Yellow Brick Road leads nowhere...
>
> > I hope the children of Kansas don't get lost on the pathway their
> > "wise" elders have laid out for them.
> >  Peter
>



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_____________________________________________________________________
Stuart G. Poss                       E-mail: Stuart.Poss at usm.edu
Senior Research Scientist & Curator  Tel: (228)872-4238
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory       FAX: (228)872-4204
P.O. Box 7000
Ocean Springs, MS  39566-7000