Nerve Endings Firing Away

The question sounds strange or even facetious meant to elicit a smirk. However, in a country known for its scientific prowess and tendency to make great advances in technology, this question now forms part of the Presidential Debate. And what’s more, it even receives a mixed response.

Last Friday, the Republican candidates – all ten of them – assembled at the Reagan Library for their first debate on the way to the primaries. Apart from upping the rhetoric on winning the already-lost war on terror in Iraq, the candidates were asked a series of questions on several issues among which this question on evolution was included.

Surprisingly, at least 3 candidates – Sam Brownback, Mike Huckabee, and Tom Tancredo – raised their hands in response that they do not believe in evolution. Sam Brownback, a candidate that is heavily reliant on the fundamentalist Christian right to make a serious bid and Tom Tancredo who only focuses on illegal immigration were expected to answer in negative but I was surprised by the response of Huckabee. But I guess, people will even disown their rationality in favor of votes. McCain gave a typical fence-sitter response that he believes in evolution but cannot deny the existence of God while hiking at the Grand Canyon (someone should enlighten him on the power of the Colorado River instead that created the Grand Canyon).

Of course, the intelligent design movement has been festering in the United States for some time now and even President Bush who advocates its inclusion in the school curriculum doesn’t necessarily dispute the veracity of evolution. I am scared about the future of science research in case one of these ignorant individuals get elected to office (odds are low).

The President controls the federal funding of all science research in this country and although private foundations exists, NSF and NIH funding drives most research. An individual who doesn’t believe in the oft-tested theory of evolution is a virtual no-no for the office of President. The qualification of all those three individuals for the office of President is instantly deemed invalid at least in my eyes. I just hope a large majority of Republican votes also feel the same.