NC bill

[Mary Nicole Morrison]

When I took life science (1984-1985) and high school biology (1987-1988) at
a private school in Dallas, I was never taught about evolution or
creationism.  I do not think it hampered my ability to understand the
science of life nor did it limit my scientific curiosity.  I question why
many people feel it is necessary to teach these topics in school at all.  I
remember an incident several years ago when Texas, one of the largest
purchasers of school textbooks, had the audacity to suggest that perhaps
material about the beginnings of life should be excised from science
textbooks to avoid the teaching of either evolution or creationism.  Many
Texas parents and educators were horrified at the thought that children
would not be exposed to such information.  I do not recall what happened
since then, so I am not sure if current Texas high school students learn
about evolution and/or creationism.

However, I can say definitively that not being particularly well-informed
about Darwinian theory has not harmed my life in any drastic way.  I am not
sure if I buy the traditional Judeo-Christian version of how the world began
or if I accept all or part of evolutionary theory.  Frankly, it just is not
that important to me.

Perhaps the NC legislature should simply eliminate the topic entirely rather
than try to dance around it.

-Nicole Morrison
U. of Texas School of Law