The "Dangerous Science" of Evolution

Lecture Guide for UNST 121: Forbidden Knowledge
Dr. Martha J. Bianco
2005-2006*

I. Isn't Evolution Just a Theory?

View this video: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/11/2/quicktime/e_s_1.html

How does the scientific meaning of a term like "theory" differ from the way it is used in everyday life?

Can the "facts" of science change over time? If so, how?

II. What is the Evidence for Evolution?

View this video: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/11/2/quicktime/e_s_3.html

III. How Did Humans Evolve?

View this video about Laetoli Footprints: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/07/1/quicktime/l_071_03.html

IV. What About God?

View the Quicktime preview at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/religion/index.html (Quicktime preview)

Prepare a "pro" and "con" position set for a mock debate; review materials from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/08/index.html

V. Review the "Choosing the Best Explanation" Procedure (also known as the "Fair Test Technique"):

Check out and study this document: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/educators/teachstuds/pdf/choosing_best_expl.pdf

VI. Why Does Evolution Matter Now?

View these videos:

"Cholera: Domesticating Disease": http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/11/2/quicktime/e_s_6.html

"Double Immunity": http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/10/4/quicktime/l_104_05.html

"The Evolution of Antibiotic Resistnce": http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/10/4/quicktime/l_104_03.html

Think about these questions for an upcoming RAID:

Why is the Russian prison system considered to be "ground zero" in the fight against TB?

What is responsible for the evolution of TB strains that are resistant to multiple drugs?

How does the misuse of antibiotics affect the evolution of disease-causing bacteria?

Use the theory of natural selection to explain the growing resistance to antibiotics.

Why should we care about a resistant strain of TB in Russia?

The example of the Russian prison system is of a place where antibiotic resistnce has taken hold.
Antibiotic resistance is quite prevalent and is not limited to such settings. Discuss where else you might expect this problem to exist.

Why do you think I had to go through four courses of different antibiotics because of my cat bite?

Why do you think I had to go through three different chemotherapy treatments to eradicate the mutated cancer cells in my body?

Work through following opinion "polls."

Record whether your initial response changes by the time you reach the end of the exercise.
Be prepared to discuss for an upcoming RAID.

Is intelligent life an inevitable result of evolution (poll)? http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/humans/intlife/

Should we create babies by design? http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/humans/babies/

Administer the Evolution and Antibiotics Resistance Survey (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/educators/lessons/lesson6/6_antibiotic_form.pdf)

Print out the Evolution and Antibiotics Resistance Survey (above).
Look over the survey and see if there might be some sociodemographic questions you might consider relevant, such as the respondent's gender, age, educational level, and religion.
Administer it to three or four people (read them the questions and write down their answers; ask your additional sociodemographic questions after you ask the other questions).
Bring the responses to class and be prepared to share your results and discuss them.

Read through these sites if you are interested in the topic of evolution and antibiotics resistance:


	•	Center for Disease Control: A Public Health Action Plan to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance The introduction to this extensive action plan provides a good overview of the state of antibiotic resistance and some information about what federal agencies are doing to address the problem.

	•	Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics This nonprofit, international organization provides information for consumers about what antibiotics are and how the public can help limit the development of antibiotic resistance.

	•	The Rise of Antibiotic-Resistant Infection This article for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's consumer newsletter describes the threats and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance.


	•	The Challenge of Antibiotic Resistance This feature article discusses strains of a staph infection that have emerged that are resistant to their accustomed antidote.

A Short Look at the Short Life of the Most Pathetic Creature on Earth

Think about this:

It is wonderful what the principle of Selection by man, that is the picking out of individuals with any desired quality, and breeding from them, and again picking out, can do. Even Breeders have been astonished at their own results. . . . Man by this power of accumulating variations adapts living beings to his wants -- he may be said to make the wool of one sheep good for carpets and another for cloth . . . .

-Charles Darwin in a letter to Asa Gray (Charles Darwin's Letters: A Selection 1825-1859, 178)

*All of the material for this lecture guide comes from Evolution. WGBH Educational Foundation and Clear Blue Sky Productions, Inc. 2001. 9 Nov. 2005 <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/index.html>.