As the debate over science curriculum in public schools continues, a new Zogby International poll indicates that 69 percent of Americans support the idea of teachers presenting both sides of the evolution controversy.
By contrast, just 21 percent of the group of likely voters who participated in the Zogby telephone survey from Feb. 27 to March 2 said that biology teachers should teach only evolution.
“This poll shows widespread support for the idea that when biology teachers teach Darwin’s theory of evolution they should present the scientific evidence that supports it as well as the evidence against it,” said Casey Luskin, program officer for public policy and legal affairs with Discovery Institute, which commissioned the evolution poll.
Zogby found that among the biggest supporters of teaching the controversy are 18–29 year olds, 88 percent of whom thought it is a good idea.
Seventy-four percent of independent voters, 73 percent of Republicans and 60 percent of Democrats agreed that challenges to evolution should be taught alongside the theory, according to the poll.
Furthermore 77 percent of respondents agreed that when Darwin’s theory of evolution is taught in school, students also should be allowed to learn about scientific evidence that points to an intelligent design of life.
“While we don’t favor mandating the teaching of intelligent design, we do think it is constitutional for teachers to discuss it precisely because the theory is based upon scientific evidence, not religious premises,” Luskin said in a Discovery Institute news release March 7.
“The public strongly agrees that students should be permitted to learn about such evidence.” (BP)
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