Creationist Movement Loses First Round in Texas Board of Education Battle
Chief among the proposed amendments is a call for criticizing the theory of evolution by noting its weaknesses; another change would question the process of planet formation. Supporters of the amendment who are attending the debates in person include the Free Market Foundation and Focus on the Family, the latter group which is less known for its scientific acumen than its crusade against the gays. Various evolutionary "heavy-hitters," as Wired's Science blog calls them, are also in town to root for the opposing team.
Earlier in the week, a panel of leading Texas scientists jointly issued a letter condemning the proposals, warning that they would "introduce unwarranted uncertainty to long-settled scientific issues."
"The scientific consensus is that evolution is the backbone of modern biology and many other fields of science, underlying advances in areas such as agriculture and medicine," they wrote. "Downplaying its place in science only serves to confuse students."
The "strengths and weaknesses" part of the amendments failed to achieve enough votes to pass a preliminary vote today, with a tied 7-7 ruling. Another amendment that questions the "formation of simple organic molecules ...into long complex molecules," however, tentatively passed 8-6. Meanwhile, across town, it was reported that the Texas House Public Education Committee had voted unanimously to place the Board of Education under a Sunset review.
Today's votes are merely tentative; the final, binding votes will take place tomorrow. For the latest news, we recommend following the Texas Freedom Network's liveblog and this joint liveblog being spearheaded by Dr. Steven Schafersman of the Texan Citizens for Science.
Related:
'Strengths and Weaknesses': Will the Texas board of education evolve backward? [Washington Post Editorial]
Wired Science on Evolution
