Origin of life bill survives

By Jennifer Toomer-Cook
Deseret Morning News
Published: Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006 1:33 p.m. MST
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A controversial bill about how the origins of life could be taught in public schools evolved Wednesday, then squeaked out of committee by a single vote to face final judgment on the House floor.

The bill, carried in the House by Rep. Jim Ferrin, R-Orem — sponsoring Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, is hospitalized with an undisclosed illness — moved to the full House on a 7-6 vote by the House Education Standing Committee.

Ferrin substituted Buttars' bill to take out references to scientific theories about the origins of life, as scientists contend there are none, Ferrin said. It also attempts to prevent teachers from teaching as fact their ideas about the origins of life. But opponents fear the changes could open the door for the teaching of "intelligent design or creationism."

Another big difference came in the committee debate surrounding SB96. While public comments often focused on the merits of Darwin's theory of evolution, lawmakers strived to avoid references to religion, which were common in the Senate floor debate.

The exception came from the Rep. LaVar Christensen R-Draper, who said, "as a people we're on record, (in) the Declaration of Independence, we believe . . . in a divine providence," and that private institutions such as Brigham Young University, home to a professor speaking against the bill, are in a position to balance religion and science lessons.

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He was interrupted by House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Urquhart, R-St. George, a bill opponent, who asked Christensen to remain on topic, saying "The sponsor has said this has nothing to do with religion or belief in God."

The bill amended by Ferrin states that to encourage students to critically analyze scientific instruction regarding the origins of life and species, "the Legislature desires to avoid the perception that any scientific theory, hypothesis or instruction regarding the origins of life, or the origins of species has been indisputably proven, or that the state endorses any one theory or hypothesis."

The state school board must set up curriculum requirements "relating to scientific instruction of students on the origins of life and the origins of species." If those matters are taught, lessons must stress "no scientific theory, hypothesis or instruction regarding the origins of life or the origins of species has been indisputably proven."

"It is not a mandate to teach creationism, it is not a mandate to teach intelligent design . . . nor is it a directive to teach religious ideology," Ferrin said. "I want the theory of evolution as currently embraced in science to be taught in our schools. . . . What I am suggesting is, when we . . . speak of origins of life, speak to what is provable or what is proven."

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