Sir David Attenborough is one of the world’s most well-known scientists and natural history film-makers. He has now thrown his weight behind a campaign in the UK to have the teaching of creationism and intelligent design banned outright from school curricula. He is joined by 30 other leading scientists and campaign groups, including the British Science Association.

In a released statement, the group, which also consists of Richard Dawkins and three Nobel laureates, called on the British government to tackle the “threat” of creationism.

Andrew Copson, chief executive of the British Humanist Society:

Evolution is probably the most important idea underlying biological science and we support the view of many experts that it should be introduced right from primary level in all state-maintained schools.

At the same time, the threat of creationism and ‘intelligent design’ being taught as science is real and ongoing, particularly as more and more schools are opened up to be run by religious fundamentalists.

It has never been more urgent for concrete steps to be taken to ensure that all state schools teach evolution, and not creationism, and we urge the Government to implement the simple and sensible measures suggested in this new statement.

[Source: Telegraph]