500 Scientists Question Evolutionary Theory

-- Citizenlink.org

More than 500 scientists signed a statement proclaiming doubt about the soundness of Darwin's theory of evolution.

"We are skeptical of claims for the ability of random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life," the statement reads. "Careful examination of the evidence for Darwinian theory should be encouraged."

The list of those who have signed the "Scientific Dissent From Darwinism" was first published in 2001 as a counter to PBS's "Evolution" series which claimed "virtually every scientist in the world believes the theory to be true." At that time 100 scientists placed an ad in the New York Review of Books announcing their dissent.

The list has since grown by five times that number, fueled in part by several curriculum controversies in the last year.

Dr. David Berlinksi, a mathematician and philosopher of science with Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture (CSC), was one of the original signers.

"Darwin's theory of evolution is the great white elephant of contemporary thought," he said. "It is large, almost completely useless, and the object of superstitious awe."

Dr. John West, associate director of CSC, said it was the growing number of scientists who saw the flaws in evolutionary theory that prompted the organization to give the statement a permanent home on the Internet.

"Darwinists continue to claim that no serious scientists doubt the theory and yet here are 500 scientists who are willing to make public their skepticism about the theory," he said. "Darwinist efforts to use the courts, the media and academic tenure committees to suppress dissent and stifle discussion are in fact fueling even more dissent and inspiring more scientists to ask to be added to the list."

FOR MORE INFORMATION: To see the complete list of scientists who have signed the "Scientific Dissent From Darwinism," please visit the Discovery Institute Web site: www.dissentfromdarwin.org.