A year shy of its 150th anniversary, is Darwin鈥檚 theory of natural selection still fit for survival? Charles Darwin was born 199 years ago today, and his theory aired publicly 149 years ago.
Although a century-and-a-half鈥檚 study has bolstered the theory鈥檚 standing among scientists, some sections of society remain unconvinced and even hostile towards Darwinism, threatening to overshadow next year鈥檚 celebrations.
Now, researchers are going on the offensive to ensure that the 2009 festivities 鈥� which also coincide with Darwin鈥檚 200th birthday 鈥� are a success. The British Research Councils plough millions of pounds into research inspired by Darwinism each year, and next month they to debate the importance of Darwin鈥檚 legacy with the British public.
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鈥淲e want to focus on modern research and how it draws on Darwin鈥檚 theory,鈥� says Pat Middleton of the UK鈥檚 .
The website will concentrate on a different academic field inspired by evolutionary theory each month, beginning with the social sciences and economics. 鈥淩esearchers are very keen to spread the message about Darwin鈥檚 work,鈥� says Middleton. 鈥淚t鈥檚 applicable to modern life itself.鈥�
But the research councils may be in for a tough fight to convince Darwin鈥檚 detractors 鈥� as Kevin Padian at the University of California at Berkeley noted last week, there are still for society鈥檚 perceived ills.
