Retorts

Evolution

It seems more than coincidental that Renton Maclachlan, a prominent promoter of creationism, should appear in print [Retorts, May] in the wake of the highly successful round of lectures given by Professor Ian Plimer. I note that your correspondent, although having repeatedly had explained to him over many years that acceptance of evolution is not a matter of belief (it is based solely evidence), continues to use terms like "true believers" and "commitment" in relation to evolution. He even refers to "the assumption of evolution". That's like referring to "the assumption of Earth's sphericity"!

I fail to see the relevance to the scientific standing of organic evolution of the questions he poses. The evidence for, and the status of, evolution remain intact despite problems in other areas. That status was established by Darwin some time before the pioneering work of Oparin and Haldane into the origin of life.

Concerning the request for an "incontrovertible illustration" of evolution, I suggest Mr Maclachlan bypass "dessert" and partake of a "main course" comprising an open-minded reading of some basic evolutionary texts. I wish him bon appetit!

Warwick Don, Department of Zoology, University of Otago