Kansas dumps Darwin, raises alarm across the United States
Holden, C.
Science 285(5431): 1186-1187
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-8075 PMID: 10484724 Document Number: 498798
The Kansas Board of Education has caused outrage by voting to eliminate evolution and other theories from statewide standards for science teaching. The board voted six to four in favour of the removal of macroevolution and the "big bang theory," along with other hints of geologic timescales such as radioisotope dating. The standards are supposed to be guidelines, based on those put forward by the National Academy of Sciences, for teachers in Kansas public schools. Groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union and People for the American Way are talking about suing, whereas the American Physical society is looking for ways to show the state that the decision will damage its economy. Steve Abrams, a veterinarian, is said to be the main moving force behind the board's decision; according to him, the board's vote showed a respect for diversity of opinion.