Theory of Evolution Wins Support in Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. —  A State Board of Education member started his new job Tuesday with a promise to work to replace science testing standards that de-emphasize evolution.

“I believe that evolution should be included in the science standards because it is the consensus of the worldwide scientific community,” Bruce Wyatt said during a break in a board meeting.

Gov. Bill Graves on Monday appointed Wyatt, an attorney, to complete the term of conservative Scott Hill, who resigned after moving to Montana.

Wyatt, a moderate, won the Republican nomination for a full four-year term in last week’s primary by beating conservative Brad Angell.

He faces Democrat Eloise Lynch in the Nov. 7 general election, when five board members will be elected.

With the defeat of three conservative GOP candidates in the primary, the board’s majority is likely to be made up of moderate Republicans or Democrats who have vowed to overturn the new standards.

The board approved the science standards a year ago on a 6-4 vote.

Wyatt said he expects the board to reconsider the standards when new members take office in January.

The theory of evolution, developed by Charles Darwin and others, holds that the Earth is billions of years old and that life forms developed over hundreds of millions of years.

Among those disputing the theory are creationists, who maintain that evolution cannot be proved and that the Earth and most life forms came into existence suddenly about 6,000 years ago, largely as described in the Bible.