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

[tocqueville]

Ker Than
LiveScience Staff Writer
LiveScience.com
Thu Aug 10, 5:45 PM ET

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.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20060810/sc_space/uslagsworldingraspofgeneticsandacceptanceofevolution

[unpossibles]

1. this doesn't surprise me

although it saddens me. And while the obviously primate alpha males beat their chests and say evolution is a false religion, they scratch their heads and wonder why we are falling behind the rest of the world in technology and social sophistication. No, I take that back - they don't even realize we're falling behind because of their xenophobic attitudes about anyone else. They see "damn foreigners" taking their jobs and have no idea why it's happening.

Sorry to sound cynical, but we need a hard slap in the collective face.

[ixion]

2. how embarrassing

like it or not, the world moves forward.

It's tragic and shameful that a bunch of unethical, immoral religions zealots on all sides are calling the shots.

[bowens43]

3. Fundamentalists are anti-science.

They have to be. Their literal interpretation of their religious texts demand it. They don't hold up under scientific scrutiny.

It saddens me deeply that our nation, once a leader in science and education, is allowing these ignorant, superstitious people to influence our educational process.

[stray cat]

4. In general American education labs behind other countries

[mainegreen]

5. Do they even still have labs anymore in school?

:P I think you meant 'lags'!

[Mistwell]

6. Ha!

We have you on the ropes, you Turks!