US editor ignites evolution row at Smithsonian

[emad]

By David Usborne in New York
Published: 20 August 2005

Scientists at the prestigious Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC have become embroiled in a controversy over the origins of life, a debate which has also aroused the recent interest of President George Bush.

At the heart of the storm is Richard Sternberg, picked by the Smithsonian to edit one of its scientific journals, the Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. Normally, the journal arouses little non-specialist interest. But Dr Sternberg stepped straight into a controversy gripping America by publishing an article supporting the theory of intelligent design, the idea that an outside agent - God - must have at least lent a hand in creating our universe.

He has reignited a row that began when President Bush managed to appall the US scientific community during a meeting with reporters in Texas. Asked whether the notion of intelligent design should be taught in American schools alongside the theory of evolution he answered that, yes, it should. The appearance of the article, by an outside contributor named Stephen Meyer last August, has triggered an academic and political food-fight of astonishing proportions. Mr Sternberg's colleagues believe that the publication of the piece has all but brought a secular scientific institution into disrepute. "We do stand by evolution; we are a scientific organisation," said Linda St Thomas, a spokeswoman for the Smithsonian, which runs 16 of America's most important museums.

But a federal body, run by a hand-picked appointee of President Bush, has now accused the Smithsonian of waging a vindictive smear campaign against one of their own peers.
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article307079.ece

[opihimoimoi]

1. Amazing, the Lolos have come to dominate/intimidate

ID doesn't explain anything.....

Evolution does....its the answer

[Viking12]

2. Seems like the "special counsel" has significantly lowered the standards

Seems like the "special counsel" has significantly lowered the standards

"Among the e-mails Mr Sternberg received after publishing the Meyer article was this one from an anonymous Smithsonian scientist: "We are evolutionary biologists and I am sorry to see us made into the laughing stock of the world, even if this kind of rubbish sells well in backwoods USA."

Oh, the horror. Poor Dr. Sternberg.:sarcasm:

[opihimoimoi]

3. Clark Kent saw all this in BIZZARRO WORLD where things are back

wards

[supernova]

4. And he still doesn't say

what his reason was for publishing it in the first place.

It shouldn't see the light of day, much less be in a peer-reviewed journal.

[Pepperbelly]

5. you want to restrain what he has to say?

I have not read the article nor am I willing to pass judgement until I do so.