S

everal recent letters to The News have indicated some confusion about science and how the scientific process operates. There are no science "priests" or science churches or temples. Most important, there is no intent on the part of the scientific community to establish a religion based on science.

Science is a process of observation of natural events, asking questions based on those observations and then experimentation to address those questions. The results that stand the test of time are used as the foundation for future studies; those that do not are discarded.

One idea that has repeatedly stood the test of time is the evolution of biological organisms. Evolution is frequently misunderstood to mean a sudden transition from one species to another -- apes to humans, for example. Evolution is, in fact, small, random changes in the DNA of an insect, plant or animal that can successfully be transmitted to offspring and subsequently survive in a biological niche.

In contrast, creationism is not a science, has not made any scientific discoveries and should not be taught in public schools.

We owe it to future generations to strengthen science education in our schools to help cope with our ever-changing understanding of the world around us.

Scott Barnum, Ph.D.

Birmingham