Truth in Science
| Journal article: Textbook misconceptions about Darwin |
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The current issue of the Journal of Biological Education criticises inaccurate accounts of Charles Darwin found in many A-Level textbooks. Dr Paul Rees of the University of Salford identifies seven common misconceptions about Darwin in twelve popular textbooks published over the last 35 years. He states that: Over a period of many years textbooks for Advanced Level Biology have contained misconceptions and inaccuracies relating to Darwin’s theory of evolution and the history of its development. Furthermore, they have exaggerated his field skills and his ability to grasp fully the significance of many of his discoveries. Dr Rees is not against Charles Darwin as a person and is critical of new A-Level specifications that do not mention Darwin at all. He simply wants to see a more truthful account of Darwin’s work in school textbooks. The Journal of Biological Education is peer-reviewed, and published by the Institute of Biology. Dr Rees’ article ‘The evolution of textbook misconceptions about Darwin’ is available free online here. |
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Speculations on the chemical origins of life are almost universally covered in school curricula under ‘Evolution’, despite the questionable relevance of the topic for evolution, and its rather uncertain scientific basis. Moore, A. (2008) Nature 453:31-32 |
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