Catherine Candisky, "Evolution Debate Re-Emerges:

Catherine Candisky, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

A doctoral dissertation, of all things, is the latest lightning rod in the
> battle over teaching evolution in Ohio.<p>

Ohio State University is investigating the makeup of a committee set to
> review the graduate work of a Hilliard Davidson High School biology <br> teacher. The panel is stacked with creationists and the research might be
> unethical, some OSU faculty members say.<p>

The teacher, Bryan Leonard, helped draft Ohio's plan calling for "critical
> analysis of evolution&quot; in high-school science classes. More recently, he <br> testified before the Kansas Board of Education, which is considering a
> similar proposal.<p>

Leonard's defense of his dissertation, required for his doctorate in
> science education, was postponed from Monday.<p>

Earle Holland, director of research communications for Ohio State, said the
> graduate school is reviewing the dissertation panel to ensure its <br> membership is qualified and appropriate.

Privacy laws, he said, prevent the university from saying more.

The battle underscores the volatility of debate about the origins and
> development of life on Earth, which has erupted before school boards in <br> Ohio, Kansas and elsewhere.

Educators are wrestling with how best to teach evolution and opposing ideas
> such as intelligent design -- the notion that life forms are too complex to <br> be explained and that a higher power must have been involved.

Critics call intelligent design a thinly veiled version of creationism.
> They say it's a belief, not science, and shouldn't be taught in biology class.<p>

In general, dissertation committees are to consist of a student's faculty
> adviser, another professor in the student's field of study, a professor in <br> the department from which the degree is being sought and a representative
> of the graduate school.<p>

"There is evidence that Mr. Leonard's dissertation committee has been
> improperly constituted and that his research may have involved unethical <br> human-subject experimentation," three professors wrote Friday in a letter
> to Carole Anderson, interim dean of Ohio State's graduate school. The <br> experimentation it refers to is the instruction of Leonard's high-school
> students.<p>

The letter is signed by Brian W. McEnnis, a mathematics professor; Jeffrey
> K. McKee, an anthropology professor; and Steve Rissing, an evolution, <br> ecology and organismal biology professor.

The three have not read Leonard's research but based their comments on
> testimony he gave before the Kansas Board of Education last month, McKee said.<p>

The main research questions in Leonard's dissertation are: "When students
> are taught the scientific data both supporting and challenging <br> macroevolution, do they maintain or change their beliefs over time? What
> empirical, cognitive andor social factors influence students' beliefs?"

The critics wrote, "We note a fundamental flaw: There are no valid
> scientific data challenging macroevolution. Mr. Leonard has been <br> misinforming students if he teaches them otherwise. His thesis presents
> evidence that he has succeeded in persuading high school students to reject <br> this fundamental principle of biology. As such, it involves deliberate
> miseducation of these students, a practice we regard as unethical.&quot;<p>

While Leonard's research concerns the teaching of evolution, no member of
> his dissertation committee is a science educator or evolutionary biologist, <br> the three say.

Leonard declined to comment yesterday. Members of his dissertation
> committee either had no comment or didn't return telephone messages.<p>

His faculty adviser is Paul Post, an assistant professor in the College of
> Education. Also on the committee are professors Glen R. Needham, an <br> entomology professor in the College of Biological Sciences, and Robert
> DiSilvestro, a professor of human nutrition in the College of Human Ecology.<p>

Jody F. Sjogren, co-founder of Science Excellence for All Ohioans, said
> evolutionists appear to be trying to shut down debate because they can't <br> win and are quick to label anyone who challenges them as religious
> fundamentalists. Sjogren's group, formed during the debate before Ohio's <br> State Board of Education, favors the teaching of intelligent design.

"I think people trying to hamper academic freedom are going to find
> themselves swimming upstream against public preference.&quot;<p>

But critics make a distinction between academic freedom and academic
> responsibility.<p>

"There are some real fine lines in terms of information a researcher can
> present,&quot; said Lynn Elfner, head of the Ohio Academy of Science.<p>

"By virtue of his testimony in Kansas, he is trying to influence public
> policy with research that has not passed muster in graduate school.&quot;<p>

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Copyright 2005 The Columbus Dispatch