Evolution and Recommendations

[Barry A. Palevitz] concludes that it is better not to burden society with graduates who, "despite their college education and our best efforts, will pass along personal biases instead of an accurate, objective reading of biology."¹ To him, the theory of evolution is equal to "[the] germ theory of disease and the cell theory."

Does it not occur to him that two people can look at the same "mountains of hard data" and apply valid but different patterns of logic to arrive at different conclusions? In other words, isn't it just possible that he has his own "personal biases" that color the significance of the data?

David L. Bump
Flushing, Mich.
davidbump@juno.com

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Barry A. Palevitz beautifully summarized the issues associated with the Dini case pertaining to faculty having to provide students with letters of recommendation.¹ Unless the university incorporates it into the job description, the university cannot force faculty to provide students with letters of recommendation.

However, if faculty are to be required to provide recommendations, then I suggest they use one of the greatest (non)recommendations (for a student or a job applicant) I ever heard: "If you knew (fill in name) as well as I know _________, then you would think of ________ the same as I."

Sheldon F. Gottlieb, PhD
Boynton Beach, Fla.
Shelly-eda@juno.com

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The question is not whether a professor should refuse to provide a letter of recommendation for a student who does not accept the theory of evolution, but how such a question could ever be conceived.¹ Evolution is still a theory, even though it has been around for 144 years.

I would earnestly importune all institutions of learning to allow their students to continue their studies and careers, regardless of their personal beliefs. The criteria here should be ability, effort, dedication and results, enthusiasm, intelligence, integrity, and diligence.

To suggest that a man or woman not be allowed to become a doctor, for example, if they do not renounce their belief in creation, reminds me of attempts by repressive regimes to eliminate religion from their citizens. I pray that God will help us avoid this awful crime in our lands of freedom.

Christopher Davey
Local Organising Committee CRPA Kananaskis 2003
Provincial Radiation Safety Officer
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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Michael Dini did the responsible thing and he should be applauded.¹ He publicly declared his personal position so that students could be informed. Students (and others) may disagree, but no one is compelling students to receive their recommendation from him or anyone in particular. They are free to get anyone they wish. Are the deniers suggesting we compel the professor to give a "personal" recommendation that is a lie?

I doubt the sincerity of denier physicians. Will they be as openly honest to all their clients as they are expected--or as honest as Dini has been? I don't want to be treated by a physician that allows his/her religious beliefs to reshape his reality.

Marc G. Boileau, BSc, PhD
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics
University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
boileau@uoguelph.ca