ENGLAND 2 Dec 2009 "Origin of the Species" published 150 years ago

"On the Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin was published 150 years ago on 2 Dec. The date closes out the Darwin year that began with the bicentenary of his birth on 12 Feb, but debate over how evolution is taught in United States public schools could continue until Doomsday. The 150th anniversary invites a look at how the Beagle project is faring. Darwin's world voyage of discovery in HMS Beagle gave rise to his theory of evolution, and the Beagle Project aims to recreate the voyage in a replica of the 1813 vessel.

The study of how species originate, a process known as speciation, is not only one of biology's most active areas of study, but also one of its most contentious. The dispute keeps the courts busy. Christian fundamentalists have taken up the Creationist position. They find Darwin's protracted timeline for the arrival of Man as upsetting as his theory that animals and humans share a common ancestry. Evolutionists regard creationism, also called intelligent design and often the religious card in political campaigns, as thinly-disguised religious dogma.

The debate is particularly hot in Texas in the Darwin year. In March the State Board of Education heard public testimony on new standards that govern the science curriculum in the state. The vote, when it happens, will direct how students are taught science over the next decade. The current rules say students should study strengths and weaknesses of scientific theories. A proposed change would eliminate the strengths and weaknesses wording. Supporters of Darwin's theories say there are no weaknesses in teaching evolution and say this is not a matter of religion; rather it is a matter of how science is being taught in the classroom. The opponents, creationists, argue that evolution taught without discussion undermines faith.

A descendant of Lieutenant John Lort Stokes, who accompanied Darwin on his voyage around the world aboard HMS Beagle, is organizing the Beagle Project. He announced the launch of a full-size replica of the ship for the bicentenary. The plan is to use it for scientific expeditions around the world. Unlike the original Beagle, the 2009 descendent will have diesel auxiliary engines, radar, GPS navigation, satellite communications and modern safety equipment.

But the bicentenary came and went without the launch, and there is no sign it is being planned for the 150th anniversary in December. A lack of funding appears to be the problem. The only news from the project is that at least initially, the voyage will take place in a borrowed vessel, the Brazilian Tocorimé.

The bulletin from the project of Mar 12 reads: "... this post might lead one to think the Beagle Project has abandoned the idea of rebuilding the Beagle and instead intends to repeat Darwin's circumnavigation aboard Tocorimé. Let me reassure you that this is not the case." Mar/09

RELATED READING:

Education board continues evolution debate in Austin (CBS-42 25 Mar 2009)
http://www.keyetv.com/content/news/topnews/story/Education-board-continues-evolution-debate-in/_HPZG5AePECcrj7MeTzRBg.cspx

Darwin Project
http://darwin-online.org.uk/2009.html

Charles Darwin (Encyclopedia Britannica)
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/151902/Charles-Darwin#tab=active~checked%2Citems~checked&title=Charles%20Darwin%20--%20Britannica%20Online%20Encyclopedia

McCain's VP wants creationism taught in schools (Wired News 29 Aug 2008)
http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/08/mccains-vp-want.html