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This a notice from the National Center for Science, about Science,
Evolution and Creation published by the National Academy of Sciences
(NAS) which Ellen Giusti mentioned today. Note that a pdf version is
available free from the NAS Press website (registration required)
(http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11876)
The National Academy of Sciences and Institute of Medicine releases a
valuable new book on science, evolution, and creationism; a coalition of
scientific societies discusses a new public opinion survey and its
implications for the defense of evolution education; and a non-partisan
coalition is calling for a presidential debate on science and technology.
SCIENCE, EVOLUTION, AND CREATIONISM RELEASED
The National Academy of Sciences and Institute of Medicine recently
released Science, Evolution, and Creationism, a book designed 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. In
a January 4, 2008, press release, National Academy of Sciences President
Ralph Cicerone was quoted as saying, "Science, Evolution, and Creationism
provides the public with coherent explanations and concrete examples of the
science of evolution. The study of evolution remains one of the most
active, robust, and useful fields in science."
As its title suggests, the book also addresses creationism in its various
forms, including young-earth, old-earth, and "intelligent design"
creationism, and concludes, "No scientific evidence supports these
viewpoints." Observing that "[c]reationism in its various forms is not the
same thing as belief in God because ... many believers as well as many
mainstream religious groups accept the findings of science, including
evolution," Science, Evolution, and Creationism also quotes both leading
scientists of faith (including Francis Collins and NCSE Supporter Kenneth
R. Miller) and religious leaders and groups (including the late Pope John
Paul II and the over 10,000 signatories of the Clergy Letter Project), who
see no conflict between their faith and science.
Science, Evolution, and Creationism takes a decidedly firm line on the
necessity of including evolution in science education, warning, "Many
teachers are under considerable pressure from policy makers, school
administrators, parents, and students to downplay or eliminate the teaching
of evolution. As a result, many U.S. students lack access to information
and ideas that are both integral to modern science and essential for making
informed, evidence-based decisions about their own lives and our collective
future. ... Given the importance of science in all aspects of modern life,
the science curriculum should not be undermined with nonscientific material."
The third edition of a publication first issued in 1984 (as Science and
Creationism), Science, Evolution, and Creationism is twice as long as the
second edition, issued in 1999. The current book was written by a
committee including a number of NCSE Supporters and members and chaired by
NCSE Supporter Francisco Ayala, the Donald Bren Professor of Biological
Sciences at the University of California, Irvine, and the author most
recently of Darwin's Gift (Joseph Henry Press, 2007). Copies of Science,
Evolution, and Creationism are available from the National Academies Press
(call 202-334-3313 or 1-800-624-6242; or visit the National Academies
Press's website), for $12.95; a PDF version is also available for free
download at the National Academies Press's website.
For information about Science, Evolution, and Creationism, visit:
http://www.nap.edu/sec
For the press release announcing the book, visit:
http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=11876
For information about the Clergy Letter Project, visit:
http://www.butler.edu/clergyproject/clergy_project.htm
For information about Darwin's Gift, visit;
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11732
--
Martin Weiss, PhD
Science Interpretation
Consultant
New York Hall of Science
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