by Edgar Humphrey

Created on: January 08, 2007   Last Updated: May 21, 2008

Public schools should teach the theories of evolution exclusively. The theories of evolution are indeed real scientific theories in that they can be tested, falsified, and are based on observable evidence. The opposing "theory" of intelligent design has absolutely no place in the science curriculum of our public schools as it fails all three requirements.

Notice I've referred to the "theories" of evolution. That's because when we speak of evolution in the context of evolutionary science, we're not simply referring to Darwin's "Origin of Species" where evolution is based on natural selection. The qualified scientific community doesn't debate whether or not life has evolved, but rather how it's evolved. Some scientists may attribute certain aspects of evolution to random genetic mutations. Some are more inclined to natural selection. The process of genetic drift is recognized as another means of evolution. Most scientists will view all processes as important aspects in biological diversity. In regards to this great "debate", the only pertinent question amongst those in the qualified scientific community is: What different processes bring about different facets of evolution and to what degree? Enter the theories of evolution.

By observing a vestigial bone structure of a modern human skeleton and comparing it with fossils of known primates and early man, we can reasonably deduct our genetic predecessors had tails. So what caused them to shorten and eventually be reduced to this useless, vestigial structure at the base of the spine known as the coccyx bone? With varying theories of evolution scientists may debate why and how this change occurred, but they come together on one important admission: Homo sapiens, along with all life on Earth, has evolved throughout natural history. As more and more evidence is gathered these theories of evolution are modified to conform to known facts (by definition all true scientific theories are subject to potential refinement). To date, nothing has surfaced that would falsify evolution in the eyes of the accredited scientific community. Should such evidence arise (perhaps if the remains of modern man and his pet dinosaur were discovered in a Precambrian layer of sediment), rest assured the scientific community will indeed re-evaluate the validity of evolution as our reason for being.

The "theory" of intelligent design is in fact not a scientific theory at all. Why? It can't be tested or falsified. To date no ID (intelligent design)

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