FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dorothy Hays
Vice President, Humanist Canada
1.877.486.2671
humanist.canada@gmail.com
www.HumanistCanada.com

CANADA NEEDS A REAL MINISTER OF SCIENCE

Toronto, ON, March 26, 2009 -- The directors and members of Humanist Canada, like many other Canadians, are outraged about having a Minister of Science who knows very little about the facts and significance of evolution.

As a self-professed Creationist, Gary Goodyear believes the Earth is a few thousand years old. He asserts that his religious beliefs are not relevant to his ministerial portfolio, but they are. As taxpayers, people need to be aware of how their politicians think, especially when a Minister plays such an important role. How does Goodyear feel about stem cell research? Would he support more funding for increased research into this critical area of health care? If not, why not?

A chiropractor by profession, Goodyear had first refused to answer the question of whether he accepted evolution and then backtracked and give an inappropriate account as to how he perceives the Theory of Evolution. He has stated that we are evolving everyday and talked about how humans now apply suntan lotion to protect themselves from the sun’s rays, or how humans now walk on more sensible shoes rather than high heels. This is simply adaptation and has nothing to do with evolution.

Evolution is a fundamental component of biology, anthropology, and other disciplines. Elizabeth Elle, a biology professor at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C. summed up evolution as “the genetic variation among organisms resulting in differences in their ‘fitness’ – a biological term referring to the number of offspring they have. That ultimately leads certain characteristics to become prevalent among their descendents.” She added, “humans are evolving every day, being naturally selected for characteristics such as resistance to certain diseases, not for the type of footwear they use.”

What must the rest of the world think of Canada now that we were forced into accepting a Minister of Science who does not even know what evolution is? The President to the south of us is actually hiring more scientists in his administration. He realizes that the future of humankind depends upon people who understand science and wants the United States to regain its status as a leader in the industrialized world. Do we not want Canada to be a leader as well?

Dorothy Hays is the Vice President of Humanist Canada. She is a retired social worker, having worked at length with high-risk Young Offenders and was past President of the local Ontario Association of Social Workers.

Founded in 1968, Humanist Canada is the first and only 100% Canadian national association that advocates reason, ethics, dignity and equality.

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Dorothy Hays
Vice President, Humanist Canada
www.HumanistCanada.com