Scientists unite to encourage teaching of evolution
National Science Academies from around the world have released a joint statement urging teachers and parents to provide children with the facts about the origins and evolution of life on Earth. In the statement, drafted by the Inter Academy Panel on International Issues (IAP), the academies express concern that, 'in various parts of the world, within science courses taught in certain public systems of education, scientific evidence, data, and testable theories about the origins and evolution of life on Earth are being concealed, denied, or confused with theories not testable by science.' They go on to encourage decision makers, teachers and parents to educate all children about the methods and discoveries of science and to foster an understanding of the science of nature. In particular, the panel highlights four key, evidence-based facts about the origins and evolution of the Earth and life on the Earth, established by observations and results from a wide range of scientific disciplines. These include the fact that the Earth formed around 4.5 billion years ago. Since its formation, the geology and environments on the planet have changed, and continue to change, under the effect of physical and chemical forces. On evolution, the statement states that since its first appearance on Earth at least 2.5 billion years ago, 'life has taken many forms, all of which continue to evolve, in ways which palaeontology and the modern biological and biochemical sciences are describing and independently confirming with increasing precision. Commonalities in the structure of the genetic code of all organisms living today, including humans, clearly indicate their common primordial origin.' While the statement acknowledges that there are still questions about some of the details of the evolutionary process, it points out that scientific evidence has never contradicted these basic points. Martin Rees, President of the UK's Royal Society, said: 'There is controversy in some parts of the world about the teaching of evolution to pupils and students, so this is a timely statement that makes clear the views of the scientific community. I hope this statement will help those who are attempting to uphold the rights of young people to have access to accurate scientific knowledge about the origins and evolution of life on Earth.'
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