FRIDAY, SEPT. 5 —Forty scientists from across Texas have joined a group of over 250 other scientists from around the world in declaring their skepticism of a central tenet of Darwin’s theory of evolution and urging that “careful examination of the evidence for Darwinian theory should be encouraged.” The list of signers of this declaration was released today by Discovery Institute and is available upon request.
The full statement signed by the scientists reads: “We are skeptical of claims for the ability of random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life. Careful examination of the evidence for Darwinian theory should be encouraged.”
“The Darwin-only lobby tries to claim there is no scientific debate over the strengths and weaknesses of neo-Darwinism, and this proves that’s just bogus,” said John West, associate director of Discovery Institute’s Center for Science & Culture. “There are growing numbers of scientists, not just in Texas but around the world, who are skeptical that natural selection and random mutations alone can explain the development of life.”
Included in the national list of scientists is Nobel Prize nominee Fritz Schaeffer. Another recent signer to the statement is evolutionary biologist Dr. Stanley Salthe, who had this to say: “Darwinian evolutionary theory was my field of specialization in biology. Among other things, I wrote a textbook on the subject thirty years ago. Meanwhile, however I have become an apostate from Darwinian theory and have described it as part of modernism’s origination myth. Consequently, I certainly agree that biology students at least should have the opportunity to learn about the flaws and limits of Darwin’s theory while they are learning about the theory’s strongest claims.”
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“The number of scientists who dissent from Darwin’s theory is growing despite their coming under unprecedented personal attacks,” said Discovery Institute President Bruce Chapman. “These scientists should be commended for having the courage to stand up to Darwin-only activists who are trying to censor them and silence this legitimate scientific debate.”
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List of Texas Scientists
File Date: 11.24.03