U.S. Lags World in Grasp of Genetics and Acceptance of Evolution

[Rose Siding]

A comparison of peoples' views in 34 countries finds that the United States ranks near the bottom when it comes to public acceptance of evolution. Only Turkey ranked lower.

Among the factors contributing to America's low score are poor understanding of biology, especially genetics, the politicization of science and the literal interpretation of the Bible by a small but vocal group of American Christians, the researchers say.

“American Protestantism is more fundamentalist than anybody except perhaps the Islamic fundamentalist, which is why Turkey and we are so close,” said study co-author Jon Miller of Michigan State University.

The researchers combined data from public surveys on evolution collected from 32 European countries, the United States and Japan between 1985 and 2005. Adults in each country were asked whether they thought the statement “Human beings, as we know them, developed from earlier species of animals,” was true, false, or if they were unsure.

The study found that over the past 20 years:

The percentage of U.S. adults who accept evolution declined from 45 to 40 percent.....more.......

http://www.livescience.com/humanbiology/060810_evo_rank.html

[Botany]

1. This is because

Evolution = change in gene frequency over time

All evolution says is that life is not static and sex "shuffles the deck."

Evolution does not say there is or is not a God. The far right nut balls and
pastors won't to keep from that fancy "book learning."

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. That's just pathetic.

There was a time, not so long ago, when the United States was on the cutting edge of scientific research. But now the poisonous influence of the Talibornagains has resulted in an intentional dumbing down of science education in the public schools and the loss of federal funding for research. Some countries are backward because they don't have money. We're becoming backward because some people want it that way.

[eppur_se_muova]

3. Heard a discussion of this on NPR yesterday or the day before...

Some, like the Japanese, are just astonished that a country like the US could have so many people who reject what they (others) see as really fundamental, basic science. No doubt about, the US is the oddball here.

[bronxiteforever]

4. Franklin and Jefferson were scientists

The birth of this country was in the age of the Enlightenment. The Greeks and Romans were their inspiration. Now we have Shrub and Cheney-how far we have fallen

[Rose Siding]

5. It's heartbreaking to watch this happen

For all our sins, the US had made so many positive contributions. I'm afraid we'll just keep seeing it slip away.

[Lisa]

6. yes, it's quite sad ...

I'm not an American -- but I am in the sciences, and there was a time when bright grad students all over the world would be hoping to study in the US or publish regularly in American scientific journals. And when I ask around these days, it seems that a significant number of people are thinking of going to Europe or Australia instead. Several researchers I know have said that they even hesitate to go to a conference or meeting in the US, because they worry about red tape at the border. It's rather disappointing to see America's tremendous advances in science and education being eroded. In areas such as the research of global warming (or environmental science in general) -- my students always laugh when I keep harping on about how Americans like James Hansen and Carl Sagan did so much work on these issues in earlier decades. And yet every week it seems there's a news story on how Bush is cutting back research funding, or dismissing another scientific report.

It's also true that the US led the way in terms of working science into policy ... having things like the Endangered Species and Clean Air acts, the EPA, and a national parks system, long before other countries did. A tradition which, I am sorry to say, the current administration does not have any regard for.