Defend Science

Comments From Defend Science Signatories

The following comments from a cross-section of our current signatories gives a glimpse at the the depth of concern to Defend Science, the broad support for this initiative, and a diversity of viewpoints that gives strength to this effort. We need to further tap this potential.

We welcome more comments. Email us your comments.

The effort must cover all of sciences, but individual fields as well. This affects all scientists.
--Isabella A. Abbot, marine botanist/ ethnobotanist, Dept. of Botany, University of Hawaii, Honolulu

In all its activities the Bush administration is the worst thing that has
happened to American society in my lifetime. The attack on evolutionary
biology by conservative elements in our society, encouraged by the current Republican administration is by far the most stupid and misinformed event in the past 50 years in the history of science. Somehow, this stupidity has to be exposed and countered.
--Myron Baker, Prof. Emeritus Biology Department, Colorado State University

Now is NOT the time for ANY timidity! The stakes are far too high!
'Science Lite' is NOT ACCEPTABLE!
--Robert Baldridge, Professor of Biology, Baylor University

It is important for people to take a moment and reflect on all the benefits to their life and the world around them that have come from scientific discoveries. If we restrict science, we will restrict important future gains in the quality of our lives.
--Simona Bartl, CSU Moss Landing Marine Labs

If humans are to have a sustainable future on this planet, then we'll need to support the scientific community and not diminish their efforts via narrow-minded and political pogroms...
--Randy Bartlett, Pu`u Kukui Watershed Preserve, Maui, HI

This effort is overdue. Bush should not have been elected. At this stage it
is necessary to bring into this program all rational legislators who are in position to block the outrageous conduct of those who follow the
religious right agenda.
--Simon H. Bauer, Professor Physical Chemistry; ret Dept of Chem. Cornell University

At all levels of education, we need to be certain students understand what
is and what is not science. Ideas that are non-scientific have no business being presented in a science classroom.
--Randall Baumgartner, Biology teacher, Lakeland High School

I believe that the antiscientific policies of the Bush administration threaten our security and standard of living as no other administration before it has. I find it remarkable that this bunch of politicians is more interested in the preservation of its party's power than in the survival and prosperity of this nation.
--Michael Bell, Department of Ecology and Evolution, SUNY Stony Brook

I feel the environment is being destroyed to help business, the health of
women is at risk to make certain religious segments happy, science
education is being destroyed again for religious purposes, and personal
rights to pain relief with marijuana are prevented for political purposes - where and when will it stop?
--Gail Burd, Associate Dean and Professor Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona

Science is the major reason for the differences between the Dark Ages and the modern era.
--Lawrence Cahoon, Professor of Biology and Marine Biology, UNC Wilmington

Do scientists defend gravity? Evolution is no less self evident for those with eyes to see.
--Rebecca Cann, evolutionary biologist and anthropologist, Professor of Genetics, Univ of Hawaii at Manoa

Humankind is approaching an unprecedented time in its relatively brief history. We will need all the advantages that Science can provide in order to not only ensure the survival of our species, but to assure the existence of most all of the forms of life on Earth. This will require an unprecedented effort of sane-minded people, especially scientists, of all levels of government, all walks of life, all fields of study, research, and employment to see this through.
--Dennis Colby, Science Dept Chair, Central Valley High School

For reasons that are difficult to understand, the current administration
has systematically ignored objective scientific findings and consensual
scientific opinions in favor of ideological and political preconceptions. This attitude has weakened, and continues to weaken the future of the United States and its position of respect throughout the world.
--Thomas Cronin, Professor of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County

I am so glad that this has begun. It is as if my whole world is crumbling when I watch the Bush Administration twist science AND religion to suit
their corporate friends and connections.
--Linda L. Davis, Visiting Assistant Professor, Geology Program; Richard Stockton College of NJ

I am very supportive of this effort. As a scientist /researcher/graduate
student working on the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, I am familiar
with and come face to face with some of the people driving this anti-science political climate that we currently have. It is wonderful to see a group of scientists bringing this to light. Our mission as researchers/scientists should be to watch out for the benefit of the public through sound research and convincing results. These results and research efforts are being squelched by our government in a dictatorship-like regime. I would like to help in any way possible to make sure that the public, and the political commmunity have the knowledge to fight for the best situation for our entire nation.
--Natalie Dawson, PhD student, University of New Mexico

Skepticism is the essence of science: you don't believe something until there is satisfactory proof. In everyday life, this is how sensible and prudent
choices are made as well. If sufficient proof of weapons were demanded,
we would not be at war in Iraq. Believing without proof is dangerous- it certainly has been for the 2,000 troops that have died there.
--Christopher Deren, Research Center Director, University of Arkansas Rice Research Center

Knowledge of the facts of science is not the prerogative of a small number of people, isolated in their labs, but belongs to all the people, for the realities of science are the realities of life itself. (R. Carson) Without science and its dicoveries we would not be here and now in the 21st C! It's time that education and science become active parts of everybodies lives, not just passive use of someone elses hard work and research. We take science and research for granted! as we take this Planet for granted, it had to change or we'll disappear as so many species before us...
--Anamarija Frankic, Assistant Professor, UMASS/EEOS

Although industrial application should be discreet, scientific activities should
not be suppressed. The law of nature is invariable. This is the only principle we can understand and be definitely convinced, regardless of any cultural, historical, racial, and religious background.
--Shigeki Fujiwara, Department of Materials Science, Kochi University

It is absolutely critical that science teachers be courageous, and make
students aware of the multiple attacks on science by the anti-science groups! This is NOT the time to be cowed and intimidated by the vocal
but ignorant few.
--Mike Garnsey, A.P. Biology/Chemistry Teacher, Watertown City Schools

See my op-ed piece in the Waco (TX) Herald-Tribune, Monday, Sept. 19, 2005.
I think each local paper should get an evolutionists op-ed article by a professional.
--Fred Gehlbach, Emeritus Prof. of Biology and Environmental Studies, Baylor University

All human progress has been achieved by the our species' unique faculty of
reasoning and rationality. With these powers, we have gained knowledge
of our Universe which reveals its beauty and also its mysteries yet to be solved. Reason is the our most precious gift, and knowledge our most
treasured inheritance. If we scorn human progress and reject reason for the sake of political expedience, profit, or to assauge supersitious fears, we dishonor our ancestors and threaten our descendants.
--Jonathan Geller, Invertebrate Zoology and Marine Science, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories

Having observed the extinction of species and the rapid and massive
degradation of habitats firsthand in my lifetime, I am agonizingly aware of the destruction of life on our planet that has been wrought by man. The pace of destruction (e.g., rain-forest decimation, death of coral reefs) is increasing, as any careful observer will note. Yet, we live in a country with a government that denies these realities for no greater reason than to protect the investments of its own members and their friends. This government has extended its war on science to deny one of the most basic tenants of biological science, the origin of species - ourselves included - through evolution. The ruling party's motivation for this appears only to be an appeal to and enlist the religious right so the party can maintain its rule. In my lifetime, I have never before seen anything like this politically
motivated war on the science that has brought us to all of the advantages of 21st century living and understanding of our world and ourselves. It is already late to begin to defend science strongly at all levels, but we must do it now.
--Michael G. Hadfield, Professor of Zoology, University of Hawaii

My primary goal in teaching large astronomy classes of undergraduates used to be that students would learn about the Universe and their place in
it. My primary goal now, in the light of the doings of the Bush admininstration, is that the students should learn to appreciate and respect the scientific approach to truth.
It is a tragedy that us teachers of science should have failed so completely to convey that the scientific approach to finding out truth and to making decisions is relevant to all walks of life, not just those labelled "scientific". Non-scientists complete a college education with the impression that scientists are arrogant, boring, and incomprehensible, and that science is impersonal and irrelevant. We must change!
"Science is away to arrive at the truth without fooling yourself."
--Andrew J.S. Hamilton, JILA, U. Colorado

Scientific knowledges and practices are precious achievements that are necessary for living with regard for curiosity, evidence, skill, and intellectual
honesty. The utter disregard for these virtues in the right wing political culture of the United Sates is ground for national shame and for urgent action. Also at stake are pleasure in knowing the world well, taking its natural processes seriously, protecting its living beings, both human and not, and feeding both body and soul.
--Donna Haraway, Professor, History of Consciousness Dept, Univ of Calif at Santa Cruz

It's interesting (and frightening to me) how we are spending dollars and
lives to fight for a "democracy" in the Middle East, while working so hard to destroy the elements of democracy (free and open education, discussion and dissent) and establish a theocracy in our own country. Good luck to us all, unless we (as a nation) wake up and realize how close we still are to the dark ages.
--Ray Hazen, Staff Engineer, University of South Florida Center for Ocean Technology

The Bush administration is unreliable and deceitful. It lacks integrity altogether. Integrity is at the heart of the scientific method. Don't allow an iniquitous regime to undermine the science that is such a pillar of the life style we all, including the bigoted right, enjoy.
--Harold Heatwole, Prof. Dept. Zoology, North Carolina State University

Thanks for leading this important initiative at this disturbing time.
--John G. Hildebrand, Regents Professor of Neurobiology, University of Arizona

This is an urgently, crucially important message that must reach the ears of all thoughtful, caring Americans.
--William Hillis, M.D., Professor, Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas

This is a vital fight for the right to think rationally, investigate clearly, and keep the scientific method active and useful for generations to come. We must join together to "Defend Science" or be plunged into the second Dark Age. Religious belief as science is not only outright dangerous, it devalues both disciplines.
--Brenda Jackson, Research Specialist, University of Arizona Plant Sciences Department

I cannot believe the denial that goes on in US government, and the reluctance to sign up to any international treaty (Kyoto, Convention on
Biodiversity etc). This unilateral ignoring of science cannot be maintained without doing serious damage to US infrastructure and economy as we are already beginning to witness.
--Marcel Jaspars, Department of Chemistry, Aberdeen University, Scotland

Thank you for taking the initiative to write this statement! I am in the unique position of being in academia but married to a soldier. I am currently writing my dissertation from Ft. Rucker, Alabama where my husband is in flight school. Although my husband shares most of the same views that I have we are surrounded by a particularly fundamentalist religious society (Enterprise, AL as well as parts of the military community). In a way I am glad that I have had the eye-opening experience of living here since, up to this point in my life, I have lived exclusively in liberal college towns (or
South America). The fundamentalist religious community and the academic
community are truly from two completely different planets. To have a productive conversation that enacts change and growth there must be some common ground to stand on. There does not seem to be any common
ground between these two communities. If I mention my beliefs in evolution most often a creationist will start shaking their head in disapproving reproach before I even finish my sentence. If we, as scientists, want to gain back our freedom to pursue science in its raw beautiful form we will need to learn a language of communication to still the fears of the fundamentalist religious communities. I am not sure how to bridge the gap between these two groups but a forum to begin this process seems a requisite cornerstone if we are to gain back our freedom for scientific exploration.
--Anna Jennings, Doctoral candidate, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

This is so important. Most students don't even realize that they are the victims of this attack. The expectation on science teachers by parents and students that science classes be "fun" instead of achievement oriented is constant. In the meantime, US industries continue to hire foreign scientists and engineers because they can't find what they need here in our own country. And parents seem to think that their child's science education is "just fine." This country has blinders on if they think that we are going to remain a world leader in science and technology.
--Karen Kelly, Biology Teacher, Department Head, Clayton Valley High School

Thank you for bringing the scientific community together on this crucial
issue. Individually we feel helpless to make our views known, but together hopefully we can make a difference.
--Gretchen Lambert, marine biologist, Univ. of Washington, Friday Harbor Laboratories

Science has given us medical and technological advances that makes modern life enjoyable and civilized. It is not appropriate to turn back the clock and return to the intellectual darkness of the Middle Ages. Science
should be taught as science, without excuses, and public policy should make use of the best information science has to offer. Faith-based public policy is not policy, it is religion.
--Esther Leise, Professor, Dept. of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro

If you wish to use my office as President-Elect of the Biophysical
Society, you may. Please understand that I sign as an individual,
although the BPS is drafting its own statement.
We have seen many dangerous attacks on scientific thought during history. Most notable during the 20th century were attacks from the nationalistic right wing (Fascism and McCarthyism). The current upsurge of right-wing religious extremism within the three Judaic religions is remarkable for two reasons. First, because it is occurring in the 21st century, at a time when the strides of science have been so remarkable as to leave even scientists breathless. This, indeed, may help explain the upsurge of religious fundamentalism. Second, because one has difficulty thinking of a time in history since the dark ages when man was at such risk of theocratic suppression of his freedom. I agree with you that the scientific community must take a stand against this extremism. In addition, we must try to explain to the public that science and religion are quite different regimes of human thought that not only should not be confused but also should not be seen as
threatening to each other.
--Bar Lentz, Professor & Director of Biophysics, UNC, President-Elect of the Biophysical Society

Scientific investigations have paved the way for our technological progress. It takes thoughtfulness and willingness to open the mind and gain new
perspectives. It is easier to point to miracles or magic to explain things. However, it is science that improves our lives and leads us to new worlds.
--Karen Lucci, Science teacher, Hopewell Valley Central High School

We scientists find ourselves awkwardly ill-equipped
to defend the open process of science in a sound-bite world.
The denial of evolution and global warming, and the suppression of stem cell research represent disturbing trends that leave our society in the dark
about our world and its future.
Most importantly, the process of science that involves hypothesis, honest uncertainty, and further tests, coupled with ethical discourse, should be encouraged by our government.
We should arrive at our answers only after the facts are gathered,
and be willing to doubt and change our views.
--Geoff Marcy, Professor of Astronomy, UC Berkeley

The Bush Administration's ideology sits at a strange juncture between
corporate-friendly ideology and Christian fundamentalism. All policy
emanating from the Administration reflects a complete and craven
subjugation to these two forces. We must speak out against this!
--Robert E. Marra, Ph.D., Assistant Scientist, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

Scientific inquiry is the most objective approach we have for understanding the world around us and must be kept free from political and religious
manipulation.
--Mark Q. Martindale, Kewalo Marine Lab/Univ. Hawai'i

Ignoring facts about global warming and other environmental issues for
short-term economic gain amounts to selling the lives of our children.
--Robert Miller, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts Boston Biology Department

It is critical that we turn back these assaults on Science! Our country is already very scientifically illiterate and these assaults just undermines our ability to educate our children!
--Hugh Miller III, Associate Professor, Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University

I believe Galileo stated this best when asked to respond to the Church what his thoughts were on the fact that the data he collected differed from the teachings of the Church. I have pasted his answer, and the book I found it within, below:
____________________________________________
Quote from Galileo to the Church when asked to explain his views and
their conflict with the Church:
Galileo argued that the Church had to agree with Science------
“It would be a terrible detriment for the souls if people found
themselves convinced by proof of something that it was made a sin to
believe.”
From the book “Darwin’s Ghost, The Origin of the Species Updated.”
- Steve Jones, 2000, page 20
--Tom Mitzel, Associate Professor of Chemistry at Trinity College

I teach both science (biotechnology, microbiology) and ethics. It seems
that the country is moving farther and farther away from reason - scholars of all disciplines must be appalled.
--Michael Murphy, distinguished teaching prof, dep't of natural sciences, State University of New York at Cobleskill

Science should not be considered a threat to Religion. They are as different as apples and oranges. The former is based on data and hypotheses testing
in an effort to prove the hypotheses wrong. The latter is based on faith. Science cannot replace religion and religion should not replace science. They should be kept separate. Attempting to insert creationism or intelligent design in place of Evolution, is not warranted by the data, and is equivalent to suggesting the world is flat (long after the Greeks clearly demonstated
using shadows and math, that the Earth is not flat (and came close to estimating the correct diameter of the Earth). Ignoring data such as the CO2 time series, and record changes in temperature in the Polar regions, will be regretable later, even though such temperature extremes have occurred in the past. We will lose an opportunity to prolong our present climate if we continue down our present path.
--David Naar, Ph.D./Associate Professor, College of Marine Science, Univ. of South Florida

Voting on CNN and Fox News polls about criminal matters for which one has no first-hand evidence is stupid but fairly harmless. Voting to enforce
fundamental issues of science that one does not understand will eventually bring us back to the Dark Ages. It already is undermining US science credibility; it will soon cripple US science capacity.
--Jon Norenburg, Researcher, Marine biologist, Washington DC

I am in full support of this statement. This attack on science should not go unchecked any longer and the time for public action is now. This attack is particularly insidious as euphemisms like “Clear Skies Act” and “Healthy Forests Initiative” are being used by the administration to cloak the real agenda of these policies. The media must publicize these issues and, we, in the scientific community, must stand together. Evolution is fact, not fiction.
--Kevin Olival, PhD candidate, Columbia University; Dept. Ecology, Evolution, Environmental Biology

Dogma may make you feel strong;
Myth may make you feel comfortable;
The search for truth will make you free.
--Charles Osborne, self employed engineer

As President Elect of the Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology,
this issue is of great concern to me, and I hope the Society can take a lead in addressing it.
--John Pearse, Professor Emeritus, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz

I fully support these efforts to fight against the suppression and distortion of science that is in fact happening in the United States right now.
These attacks on science are bad enough in that they cause -- and in fact, celebrate -- intellectual decay. But this also has a direct effect on the health and welfare of millions of people; people who cannot get medicine they need because of medical suppression, or have to live on a planet teetering on the edge of environmental disaster that is being ignored by the powers in charge.
Biology, medicine, and environmental studies are just the start; this antiscientific mindset will grow like a tumor until all of science is affected, and we live in another Dark Ages where people will fear their own shadows. I do not think this is empty rhetoric; we are already well on our way to this fate unless our voices are heard.
--Philip Plait, astronomer and science activist

I have watched with increasing alarm the deceitful attempts of Bush
administration apologists to undermine appropriate scientific discourse
on the most important considerations which our nation (and the rest of
the world) face. I urge other scientists to consider carefully the
DEFENDSCIENCE statement...and sign it.
--Thomas M. (Zack) Powell, Dep't of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley

This effort is exceedingly important. In addition to the statement, I would
emphasize that in today's economy, we are competing with a world-wide
pool of technically educated individuals. A lack of a solid grounding in the sciences will effect the ability of our citizens to compete in this arena.
--Promod Pratap, Associate Prof. Univ. of North Carolina at Greensboro Dept of Physics and Astronomy

The attacks are relentless and the strategy is of attrition, fueled by millions of dollars of raised funds. This is not the time to let others speak out.
--Robert Raguso, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, University of Arizona

I very strongly support this important initiative. This President and his
administration have shown no understanding of the value and importance
of the scientific method as a means of advancing human knowledge. By
contrast, they have supported a faith-based ideology as if this derives from some superior source of knowledge. This stance makes them just as
horrifyingly alien to all humanist causes as are the Islamic fundamentalists they fear so much.
We have to make a stand against their faith-based agenda, regardless of
whether or not their beliefs are "sincere". We have to educate people to the point that they understand that certain viewpoints are simply not compatable with verifiable scientific knowledge. There can be no compromise with ignorance, and "sincerity" cannot be allowed to substitute for knowledge.
--Martin Rayner, Professor, Univ of Hawaii School of Medicine

Scientific literacy -- an understanding of the scientific process and its application in the modern world -- has been at a low ebb in the United States and other countries for some time. Now science is under active attack by its ideological enemies. The danger is that a generation of children is being taught that science has no more import than many other "opinions" of how the universe operates, which will only strengthen that basic, and apparently widepsread, misunderstanding of science.
Defend Science, and other activities like it, MUST succeed.
--Brian Robinson, Freelance technology & science writer

At this time, the people in this country seem to accept sound bites, half-truths, and propaganda more than taking the time to study any issue. Science, and academia in general, are under attack primarily because we have a poorly educated society and a highly effective anti-science publicity campaign. This has been true for topics such as air and water pollution, evolution, global climate change, and many others. In my view, this country is rapidly losing its leading role in science and higher education. For the past several decades we have been a leader in science, technology, and higher education. This could be seen in the huge number of excellent students coming from all over the world to our colleges and universities. We attracted the best minds from this country, as well as most other countries. Over the past four years this has changed. The policies of the USA, including the reductions and restrictions on the funding for science and education is causing a reduction in research and support of highly qualified students. There is a general lack of respect for science and education in this country, and this will lead to a further degradation of our
place as leaders in technology, environmental protection, research, and
higher education. This will be disasterous for our country, but especially so for the next several generations of Americans.
--Scott O. Rogers, Professor and Chair, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University

The Bush Administration's rejection of empiricism is broad in its scope and
not limited to its antagonism towards science. It can be seen in the
administration's ill-concieved foreign wars, rampant cronyism, cynical
funneling of the nation's wealth into the pockets of the mega-rich -- and, of course, in its thinly-veiled rejection of evolution, humanity's impact on the global environment, etc. The Bush administration chooses to base its decisions on fairytales and preconcieved notions, not on data collected form the real world. This is a dangerous course to set for our nation, and one that will end in ruin.
--Alexander K. Shangraw, MSPH, Sr. Research Assistant, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases

I am a spiritual and religious person and also a scientist. I am frightened by the mis-education of students and the general public as to what science is. Religion and philosophy are important subjects that should be taught, but are different fields that co-exist with, not compete, with science. I do not understand the political motivations behind misleading the American people, but they frighten me. The implications run deep and wide, including making us global laughing stock among developed nations. We owe it to our children and their future to tell them the truth, not to increase the
gulf between the educated and the misled.
--Anna Sher, Professor of Conservation Biology, University of Denver

Conservative Christians who support the repression, distortion and manipulation of science for political or cultural purposes are no better than the moral, cognitive and cultural relativists that they despise so much. Religion has nothing to fear from science, I wish the reverse were true!
--Dr. Michael Silberstein Associate Professor of Philosophy of Science
at Elizabethtown College and the University of Maryland, College Park and Director of the Elizabethtown College Center for Science and Religion

John Jacob Abel once wrote that greater even than the greatest discovery is it to keep open the way to future discovery. The dumbing of America
with our present education scheme is poising future generations to be at the mercy of academically advanced, science savvy nations. Consider Florida. Here is a state that encourages the lottery as a means to support education. What the signage should read is "Florida Education-It's a Gamble" There should be no conflict between science and religion. Science is a reliable method of finding truth. It seems a logical conclusion that those opposed to it fear their profit-making businesses and practices that damage the environment will be exposed. Think about those who are opposed to defending science-those who hide behind religious zealots and make millions of dollars. We will get just as bad science as we are willing to stand for and just as good science as we are willing to fight for. It's time to fight.
--Chris Simoniello, SEACOOS Regional Coordinator, Sea Grant Extension

This is an extremely important effort. As one who studies the effects of
temperature on marine species, I'm keenly aware of how strongly even
seemingly small changes in temperature can impact individual organisms
and, thus, the web of ecological interactions in which they participate. The same concerns of course apply to terrestrial and freshwater habitats.
--George Somero, Stanford, Marine scientist who studies effects of temperature change on marine organisms

As a young Canadian scientist, the current political attacks on science in
the United States have compelled me exclude it as a location for future
teaching and research. Many of my talented colleagues have made the same decision. The future of innovative science in the US is threatened by this phenomenon.
--Joy Stacey, Canadian PhD student, Ocean Sciences Centre, Memorial University, Canada

There is a time, and a place, for religious and spiritual reflection and participation. That time and place are very personal in nature. Every one has the right to his of her beliefs. But it has no place in scientific pursuit. The quest for scientific knowledge must be purely objective and not be influenced and controlled by the interpretations and whims of those who choose to believe in archaic and arcane belief systems. When right-wing fundamentalist fanaticism is allowed to coerce and control scientific pursuits and findings, then our societies face regression. Our current administration is no better than the one that sentenced Galileo to arrest for his espousing the truth. If we do not defend science now, then there will be no science to defend in the future. We cannot have another four-hundred year lag between the current suppression of our knowledge and the “apology” issued by the religious right. If we do allow this, then we should all go back to wearing animal skins and being afraid of the dark!
--Brian V. Staples, President, San Diego Astronomy Association

For far too long scientists have allowed politicians to misrepresent our results and twist our conclusions. So, it has come to this... we either continue to be attacked, marginalized, gagged, and ignored by the current administration, or we stand up and defend science! It's our choice.
--Iain Stenhouse, Director of Bird Conservation, Audubon Alaska

We journalists are supposed to be neutral, but NOBODY can stand "neutral" when the process that has lead to reliable understanding of the universe is under attack by people who are putting their narrow agenda of religion and personal profit above intelligent exploration and the long-term survival of humanity.
--Gus Steeves, Reporter, Blackstone Valley Tribune, MA

Thank you all very much indeed for putting together this important message.
--Steve Stricker, Dept. of Biology, Univ. of New Mexico

It is troubling that scientists are forced to divert time and attention away from their research because of the politics and ideology of a misguided few. It is even more troubling that the current administration has fostered a public distrust for scientists and science in general. Unfortunately, we can never measure the loss of discoveries not made.
--John E. Tomkiel, Assistant Professor Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

In all my life I have never had a worse feeling about what the president of our country was doing - and I am talking about a broad front of activities.
--Dr. David Vanderschel, Retired mathematician (PhD Rice University '70) and computer scientist

We need to take action.
--Peter Ward, faculty member Department of Biology, University of Washington

We seek to hold off another Dark Age by standing together against the
people who would force ignorance on the world in the name of God. The
Religious Right is attempting to make the world over in their own image, instead of that intended by the Maker made evident in Nature, or discovered by Science.
--Karen Westphal, Coastal Scientist at LSU/SC&E Special Programs

Tariq Ali has argued quite effectively that the rise of fundamentalism in
Islam, following the crusades 700 years ago, led to the suppression of
knowledge and inquiry (science) in the Arab world and to the decline of a great culture. A direct outcome is the ascendancy of Islamic fundamentalism in the modern world. Christianity is on this path (again) today.
--Colin Wraight, Professor and Head of Biochemistry, University of Illinois

You can sign the Statement on this website. Just click here to add your name to the growing list.

Join in the battle to defend science!

Scientists and Members of the Scientific Community:

• Sign and Circulate This Statement.
• Help Raise Funds to Have it Printed in Newspapers Across the Country, and Internationally.
• Get This Statement Adopted by Scientific, Educational and Other Associations and Institutions.

Members of the General Public:

• Reprint and Circulate This Statement, Help Spread the Word, Contribute Your Ideas About How to Wage This Crucial Battle & Join With People in the Scientific Community and Others to Wage This Battle.
• Help raise funds to print the Statement in as many newspapers and journals as possible, in the U.S. and internationally.