Re: Final Textbook Insert

Keith B Miller (kbmill@ksu.edu)
Thu, 27 Nov 1997 23:28:51 -0600 (CST)

>This textbook discusses the controversial theory of evolution. As you
>study
>this material please keep the following in mind:
>
>Although your textbook may give you the impression that scientists
>understand
>how complex biological molecules formed and evolved into cells, the
>truth is
>that the atmosphere of the early earth did not favor the formation of
>such
>molecules, and how they became organized into cells remains one of the
>great
>unsolved mysteries in science.
>
>Although your textbook may suggest that all animals evolved gradually
>from a
>primitive ancestral form, the truth is that almost all basic animal
>types
>("phyla") appeared in the fossil record within a relatively brief
>interval
>known as the "Cambrian explosion," and that their presumed common
>ancestors
>have not been found.
>
>Although your textbook may give you the impression that similarities
>among
>early embryos provide evidence for Darwin's theory, the truth is that
>there
>are significant differences among these embryos, especially at the
>earliest
>stages.
>
>Although your textbook presents evidence that the Darwinian mechanism of
>natural selection operating on random mutations has produced minor
>changes
>such as variations in the colors of moths and the sizes of finch beaks,
>the
>controversial question is whether the same mechanism can account for
>major
>innovations such as the origin of insects, birds, and scientific
>observers in
>the first place.
>
>Study hard and keep an open mind. Someday you may contribute to
>theories of
>how living things appeared on earth.

Who is the authority proclaiming that "the truth is"? In fact, much of the
implied meaning of the "true" statements are in error and seriously
misrepresent the state of the science. Political and special interest
groups are trying to be arbiters of scientific knowledge. I agree with
others that this disclaimer is basically saying that the textbooks are
lying. I also find the phrase "your textbook may" to be rather
disingenuous.

Keith

Keith B. Miller
Department of Geology
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506
kbmill@ksu.ksu.edu
http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~kbmill/