Scientific understanding

My friend, Larry Hicks, had a letter to the editor published yesterday in our local newspaper, Tulsa World. I thought I'd reproduce it here:

A study in Science, the premier American journal of science in the U.S., reported in the Aug. 11 issue that America ranks near the bottom of 34 countries for acceptance of evolution. Only Turkey ranked lower. Factors identified with America's low score was a poor understanding of biology, particularly relating to genetics. Writers also linked the literal interpretation of the Bible by many Americans and the mixing of science, politics and religion.

What an embarrassment for our country that is supposed to be an enlightened beacon for the rest of the world. It's also scary. Maybe I underestimate many of my fellow Okies, but I would bet that we as a citizenry are close to the bottom in scientific literacy in the U.S.

Folks who would bring industry and innovation to Oklahoma are certainly not excited when they hear of this scientific ignorance. As a grandfather with children in our public schools, I am not excited when I hear of this. Also as a senior citizen looking forward to quality health care and well-trained scientists in our hospitals and labs, I do not welcome the idea that our scientific minds might lag behind, or even not accept, the best of current scientific thought.

Biology is the study or understanding of life. Medicine is biology. Ecology is biology. Agriculture is biology. Evolution is the unifying theme of all biology and its disciplines. To deny evolution as the basis of biology is to strip it of all foundations and framework for future breakthrough discoveries.

I'm very worried about scientific illiteracy as well. We are descending into a dark age of dangerous ignorance and superstition. It's truly worrying.