Creation vs. evolution debate scheduled

Experts on creationism and evolution will square off Sept. 17 in a free, public debate beginning at 7 p.m.

Sponsored by the campus chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, "Creation vs. Evolution: A Scientific Debate" will take place in Lee Hall auditorium.

Taking the creationists' side is Dr. Duane T. Gish of the Institute for Creation Research in El Cajon, Calif., and on the side of evolution is Dr. Massimo Pigliucci of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

Gish, a professor of biochemistry at the ICR Graduate School, is the author of "Evolution: The Fossils Still Say No!" and "The Amazing Story of Creation."

The institute was first established in 1970 as an organization devoted to research, publication and teaching in those fields of science particularly relevant to the study of origins. A private, not-for-profit corporation, the ICR bases its educational philosophy on scientific creationism.

In addition to his duties as a graduate school faculty member, Gish serves as a senior vice president for the institute.

Gish received a doctorate in 1953 from the University of California at Berkeley.

Pigliucci, an assistant professor in the Department of Botany at U.T., teaches ecological and evolutionary genetics. His research focuses on plant ecological genetics, in particular the study of phenotypic plasticity, the property of a genotype to produce different phenotypes when exposed to distinct environments, or "nature vs. nurture."

He has twice won the Oak Ridge National Labs Science Alliance Research Award and the "Dobzhansky Prize" given by the Society for the Study of Evolution.

Pigliucci earned a doctorate in 1994 from the University of Connecticut.

During the debate, each speaker will have an hour to present his most convincing argument for the origin of the universe, based on his particular scientific model. Following both presentations, each will have 15 minutes for a rebuttal; then five minutes each for closing remarks.

Questions then will be taken from the audience, with each debater allowed equal time to respond.

For more information, contact Dr. John Lamberth at 325-0906.