Kansas DOESN'T Dump Darwin

[Ken Kinman]

    As a Kansas evolutionary biologist, I think this story has been a little
overblown.  Stereotyping an entire state with phrases like "Kansas dumps
Darwin" seems to me both inaccurate and counterproductive.
     In a way, I think that after things have quieted down and the Kansas
jokes die back down, that this episode (although embarrassing to Kansans)
will have long-term benefits for the teaching of evolutionary theory (just
as the Scopes Trial did).
     There will be some quarrelling in some school districts, especially in
more conservative parts of the state, but even if some biology teachers back
off from evolution somewhat in their teaching, I don't think that is going
to intellectually cripple their students in any major way in a world of open
communication.  Even if this is not reversed right away, big deal.  The
state tests wouldn't have questions on the "Big Bang" or macroevolution for
a few years.  There are far more important issues in our children's lives
and educations that are far more important that this.   Not that we
shouldn't be concerned, but this has been blown all out of proportion,
especially by those outside of our state (in my opinion).  In fact, it
wouldn't surprise me if this actually causes an increase in attention to
teaching evolution in many Kansas schools.
                    --------Ken Kinman




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