Evolution is science; creationism is belief

Evolution is science; creationism is belief

EDITOR:

I write to strongly refute comments made in the Jan. 3 letter (“There are good reasons for doubting Darwinism”). The arguments against evolution as presented by the author are either scientifically incorrect or irrelevant (results from public polls).

Evolution is a large and very complex process that operates over incredibly long time scales and the general mechanisms that guide this process have been clearly established. Contrary to the author’s assertions, “rigorous scrutiny by every branch of science” has produced a huge and ever growing body of evidence that supports evolution as a real and ongoing process. This evidence has accumulated over the past 150 years and comes from a wide variety of scientific disciplines, including genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, medicine, zoology, embryology, comparative anatomy, comparative physiology, chemistry, paleontology and geology.

I also strongly disagree with the author’s assertion that more scientists are questioning evolution. Instead, very, very few scientists question the existence of evolution. As a professional scientist and biologist with over 25 years of experience, I have never seen any scientifically valid evidence that contradicts evolution’s basic facts or general principles.

Competing ideas, such as creationism and intelligent design, do not present testable ideas and thus are not scientifically valid. In the Dover, Pa., school board court case, a federal judge (who is a strongly religious Republican, appointed by President Bush) weighed the evidence for and against both evolution and intelligent design. He ruled that intelligent design was a belief, not science, and thus could not be taught in a science class.

A new book for lay people seeking to explain the differences between religion and science was recently published by the National Academy of Sciences, the distinguished organization that has provided scientific advise to the public and U.S. government since 1863. This short book, “Science, Evolution, and Creationism”, provides numerous examples of the scientific evidence supporting evolution and strongly disputes the arguments for creationism and intelligent design. The book may be read for free at the NAS web site (www.nas.edu).

MARK WOMBLE

Youngstown

X Dr. Womble is an associate professor of biological sciences at Youngstown State University.

Child abusers get lighter punishment than dog fighter

EDITOR:

A Youngstown women gets two years probation, her boyfriend gets 6 months for serious injuries to her two-year-old daughter, and Michael Vick gets 23 months in prison for dog fighting. Is something wrong with this picture?

I propose that the next time someone decides to beat up on a innocent child we let the animal activists hire their lawyers and fight the case. I bet the outcome would be a lot different for the child abuser.

ANDY PAPPAGALLO Sr.

Mineral Ridge