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State bill would force schools to teach evolution alternatives

A bill that would force teachers to present evidence that does not support the theory of evolution is before the Arizona Legislature - but scientists say such evidence does not exist because evolution is not disputed.

House Bill 2585 "requires teachers who instruct on the theory of evolution concerning the origins of human beings and other living organisms to present evidence that supports and evidence that does not support the theory of evolution."

"I think that we have a problem in that teachers are teaching evolution in terms of how different species evolve," said State Rep. Mark Anderson, R-Mesa, a co-sponsor of the bill. "Evolution is being taught as if it is the only scientific explanation for the origin of life."

"There is scientific evidence out there that the current theory may have some holes in it," Anderson said.

But anthropologists counter that evolution in fact is the only scientific explanation. Additionally, they assert that these representatives demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of the issue.

"There are many explanations for the fact of evolution and indeed proponents of different explanations often disagree, however all of these competing theories attempt to provide an explanation for the fact of evolutionary change, which is not in dispute," said Stephen Zegura, a University of Arizona biological anthropology professor.

This bill, originally proposed by Reps. Karen Johnson, R-Mesa, Dean Cooley, R-Mesa, and Michael Gardner, R-Tempe, would fundamentally undermine the scientific fact of evolution, Zegura.

Despite evidence presented by anthropologists, the representatives sponsoring the bill believe it is fair.

"There is no way to prove that life was formed accidentally," Anderson said. "Behind it there was an intelligent design."

"I'm more focused on saying that science indicates that the world came about by random evidence, which is untrue," he said.

Some legislators said they find this bill unacceptable.

Rep. Kathleen Dunbar, R-Tucson, another co-sponsor of the bill, said she will no longer support the bill and that she was taken aback when she read the bill's full text. Dunbar gave her verbal approval to Johnson to be named a co-sponsor.

In addition to Johnson, there are 19 other representatives, including Speaker Jeff Groscost, R-Mesa, and Rep. Jean McGrath, R-Glendale, who are sponsoring the bill. Four state senators are also listed as co-sponsors. Of all 24 legislators, all but one are members of the Republican party.

This bill has already had a second reading in the house. It has also made it through both the majority and the minority caucus and it has come before the Committee of the Whole. It is on hold, but there may be a vote within the next few days, Dunbar said.