Genomics and Evolution

I was flipping through a copy of Wired the other day and came across an interesting article about a guy trying to collect the DNA of everything on the planet. This kind of information combined with powerful computers has interesting implications. Who knows where it is taking us? It is interesting to ponder.

Then when I was looking at Wired online I came across another interesting piece, this one about the Crusade to teach creationism in schools along side of, or instead of, evolution. I actually have a good friend who is teaching his kids exactly that -- that evolution is one theory and creationism is another theory, and that both are equally probably accurate. Needless to say, I was stunned when he told me this. So this article hit home for me.

On a related note, I was listening to NPR the other day and the topic was global warming. Part of the discussion was the fact that often news coverage of the issue gives equal time to those who believe it is occurring and those who don't -- an attempt to be "balanced." This is in spite of the fact that 80-90% of scientists (I don't recall the exact number, but it was very high) agree that it is occurring. So the 10-20% of the scientists who disagree are getting 50% of the coverage in many reports on the topic. The person being interviewed on NPR felt that this was an inappropriate way to cover issues that are based on facts or science. It is more appropriate for things like religion or philosophy. Anyway, it was interesting and seems related to this whole evolution vs. creationism debate.