For serious scientists the question is not if evolution occurs but how it works
By James C Rocks
November 4 2006
From Mr James C. Rocks.
Sir,
With reference to Andy McIntosh’s letter (October 28) claiming there is controversy in science: he is of course correct. Science thrives on debate and disagreement. It is how those theories that are “fit” enough to do so survive to be those regarded as correct.
There is, however, no controversy concerning the theory that evolution or its ability to explain the current diversity of life observed around us and touting a religious idea as the equivalent of a fully fledged scientific theory is disingenuous.
Indeed the theory of evolution is so fully accepted by scientists and science as a whole that no serious scientists work on whether evolution occurs any more but instead they concentrate on the mechanisms by which it does.
It is inappropriate to target these theories at schools because, as Prof McIntosh is well aware, new or challenging theory and any evidence that he may be in possession of are published in appropriate scientific journals and not in the public arena. That he and his friends chose not to adopt accepted standards in this respect is highly suspicious and implies that he has no such evidence. The theory of evolution does, of course, stand solely on the available evidence and if Prof McIntosh has any new or challenging evidence, which I sincerely doubt, I suggest he submit it via the appropriate mechanisms.
With reference to Richard Buggs’ letter (also October 28): Of course I agree that children should understand that there are alternatives to Darwin’s theory of evolution but the amount of time devoted to them should be proportional to the amount of evidence supporting them.
For creationism and its variants (including Intelligent Design) I estimate that particular discussion will be over in rather less than a minute.
James C. Rocks
Well done me 
Kyuuketsuki (Co-Founder: “Science, Just Science” Campaign)
