Here you can find information on current happenings in the world of Darwin and
Evolutionary Science. If you have some news that would be appropriate for this section, please
contact us.
Professor Richard Zare, of the Stanford University Chemistry Department,
wrote an eloquent article, for the San Francisco Chronicle, about America's devaluing of scientific knowledge,
particularly about evolution, and the harm that disrespect for science is doing to the
American economy.
Scientific theories are constructed painfully, piece by piece, by testing each small piece
against the behavior of nature. ...
The overall structure is tested for logical consistency and used to make predictions of
how the system in question will perform in novel circumstances. Those predictions are
compared with what actually happens.
3/23/2005
Plant gene recovers, RNA might store sequence
Courtesy of Robert E. Pruitt/Purdue University
Arabidopsis with the mutated gene, left, making the plant's floral organs
bunch together. Right, an offspring with a corrected gene.
"...
geneticists at Purdue University say they have found plants that
possess a corrected version of a defective gene inherited from both
their parents, as if some handy backup copy with the right version had
been made in the grandparents' generation or earlier.
..."
"The discovery also raises interesting biological questions -
including whether it gets in the way of evolution, which depends on mutations
changing an organism rather than being put right by a backup system. ...
" - Nicholas Wade, New York Times
Demonstrating how science works, the scientists interviewed were questioning whether the result was reproducible, and forming
new falsifiable hypotheses about how this surprising discovery might occur.
Most ideas involved storage of the "correct" genetic sequence using RNA rather
than DNA.
For more details, see
the New York Times
(free registration required) by 30 March 2005, or see the full article in the current
Nature magazine (in some libraries).
3/19/2005
Discover the Art of Evolution
An exhibition by renowned artist Shirley Chubb, which explores Charles Darwin's life and work,
is taking place at Darwin's home - Down House, Luxted Road, Downe, Bromley - a property
maintained by English Heritage.
On Tuesday 22 March and Tuesday 17 May, between 2pm and 4pm, Charles Darwin's great-great grandson, Randal Keynes, will be discussing the life of his famous ancestor with Shirley Chubb.
The exhibition will run until 29 May 2005.
The exhibition, entitled Thinking Path, was inspired by the sand path around Down House where Darwin would walk whilst contemplating his theories on the origin of the species.
The exhibition includes original pieces by the artist, alongside specially selected museum pieces.
Admission to the exhibition costs £6.60 for adults, £3.30 for children and £5 for concessions. Opening times are Wed - Sun 10am to 4pm until March 23; then Wed - Sun 10am to 6pm until 29 May.
Admission to the Randal Keynes/ Shirley Chubb discussions is by voluntary donation.
Booking is essential: to reserve a place please contact Gemma Squibb at Down House on
01689 859119 or via
gemma.squibb@english-heritage.org.uk
2/5/2005
A Tribute to Ernst Mayr
Ernst Mayr was a giant intellect in his chosen field of evolutionary biology and many
will agree with Dr. Jane Maienschein, a science historian at Arizona State University, when
she said she was "surprised at how sad she felt on hearing of Professor Mayr's death."
Even though he had had a very long and productive life, and was still contributing to
the field of evolutionary biology after he turned 100 last year, we are reluctant to
let him go. Dr. Mayr will be remembered for many contributions to the field of biology
but perhaps none more than for his efforts to bring together the
mechanisms of natural selection, proposed by Charles Darwin, with those of
genetics, currently referred to as the "modern synthesis of evolutionary
theory" or, neoDarwinism.
We at DarwinDay.org owe a special thanks to Dr. Mayr -- as it was his article
published in the July issue of Scientific American entitled " Darwin 's
Influence on Modern Thought", also mention on our Home page, which helped
define our mission. In addition, I had sought his advice last summer on how to more
effectively internationalize our efforts to celebrate Science and Humanity and he
graciously responded with a hand written letter of advice that I greatly
appreciate.
For longer descriptions of Dr. Mayr's career at Harvard and at the Museum of
Comparative Zoology (The Agassiz Museum) we refer you to the
New York Times
(requires free signup).
The Devonport Beagle Project has grand plans of recreating
the great ships which inhabited its harbor in the 19th century. They've already completed replicas
of some smaller vessels, and their first large project will be none other than the HMS Beagle of
Darwin fame.
Take some time to enjoy the plethora of information on the site, and
consider sponsoring a plank for the
mere amount of £35.
The DBS is a organization with aims to gain the priveledge
of Darwin's birthhome in Shrewsbury, to turn it into a museum of sorts. You can donate to their
cause at their homepage.
The Society will provide a formal network, gathering all with an
interest in Darwin and his birthplace. It is potentially a vehicle for the acquisition of
funding for the many exciting projects in the pipeline and will offer members the
opportunity to help to preserve Charles Darwin's heritage for the future. Members can
become actively involved in the work for the preservation of Darwin's Birthplace in
Shrewsbury
David Ewing Duncan wrote knowledged article on modern struggles between science and religion, and how they are effecting the upcoming elections.
Everyone peered into the heavens and was astonished -- except for certain Church officials. They refused to even look, lest their observation contradict Church dogma.
"The renowned biologist and thinker Richard Dawkins
presents his most expansive work yet: a comprehensive look at evolution, ranging from the
latest developments in the field to his own provocative views."
The San Francisco Chronicle has a excellent article on . Known as "the last survivor of the golden age of
(neo-Darwinism) Evolutionary Synthesis," Ernst Mayr is one of the greatest living
contributors to modern thought. The San Francisco Chronicle has
an article about him
and his life.
