Evolution statement excludes 'design'

The state school board's proposed position statement on teaching evolution doesn't give an inch for a state senator's "intelligent design" concepts.

That bothers Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan. He wants the board to insert language saying humans didn't evolve from any other species.

If the board doesn't, he'll carry a bill that could require intelligent design be taught in public schools to counterbalance human evolution discussions. Or he may go for a public vote on the issue.

"Maybe the way to go is a referendum, and put it on next year's ballot, and let the people tell the schools what to do," Buttars said Friday. "Once again, they could stop this whole mess if they would add something as simple as the line I (propose)."

The State Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the document next Friday. Chairman Kim Burningham says he likes what he sees so far.

"It says that evolution is accepted as a principle by the scientific community, it should be taught in science classes, it's got credible evidence behind it, but questions still related to it, (and) religion and other methods of knowing . . . should be studied elsewhere," Burningham said. "My first impression is, I'm comfortable with it."

Intelligent design holds that life is far too complex to be explained solely by Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection and evolution. Some backers, including Buttars, say the concept should be taught alongside human evolution in public schools. But critics say it's a thin veil for God and creationism, which can't be taught in public schools under a 1987 Supreme Court ruling.

The inclusion of intelligent design has been supported by some local school boards across the nation. In Kansas it has been implemented statewide. Districts in some states, including California and Pennsylvania, have been sued over the issue.

In light of the controversies, Burningham, also president of the National Association of State Boards of Education, asked the Utah board to take a stand on teaching evolution of species — a central part of Utah's high school biology core curriculum.

The proposed position statement was created by a committee of about 25, including state school board members and science educators from the State Office of Education, universities and public school classrooms, state curriculum director Brett Moulding said.

Its contents were revealed in a school board agenda the Deseret Morning News received this Friday.

"As a fundamental scientific concept, evolution is a necessary part of science classroom instruction, and it will continue to be taught and progressively refined as a key scientific principle," the 1 1/2-page document states.