Kansas Dumps Darwin (for sure), raises alarm...

[Hugh Wilson]

Sorry, was not meaning to sterotype Kansas, although I think folks
from Texas ought to be able to sterotype *somebody*.  Anyway, was
just using the lead from the news section in the lastest issue of
Science, "Kansas Dumps Darwin, Raises alarm..."

Also, I don't think any of this is 'overblown'.  The creationists
pulled off a major victory in Kansas and, given the feeble nature of
the opposition, I would guess that this approach will be used
elsewhere (but surely not in Texas).

=====================
    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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Hugh D. Wilson
Texas A&M University - Biology
h-wilson at tamu.edu (409-845-3354)
http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/Wilson/homepage.html