“THE theory is not a fact.” Six little words, individually so innocent, but collectively at the heart of a heated court battle that could determine what schoolchildren should be taught about the origins of life.

In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Darwin’s theory of evolution is up against intelligent design (ID), and Judge John Jones’s decision, which could come later this month, “will send an important message”, says New Scientist (Oct 29).

The case centres on a statement from the school board of the Dover Area School District read to children during science classes. Darwin’s theory “continues to be tested as new evidence is discovered”, it said, adding that ID offers another explanation of how life began.

Eleven parents took exception to the introduction of this “religion-friendly alternative to Darwinian evolution”, and sued the school board. As a result, ID, which asserts that life stems from an anonymous designer, is being scrutinised by the judiciary.

The plaintiffs’ star witness is the “charismatic biologist” Kenneth Miller, whose evidence is “an energetic lesson in the evidence for evolution”. Experts say that it was a smart move to choose Miller, a Catholic, to make the parents’ case, rather than an “outspoken atheist” such as Oxford University’s Richard Dawkins, whose idea that Darwin disproves religion would have been harder for Judge Jones to swallow.

Whatever the judge decides, the case is likely to have wide repercussions. As one lawyer puts it: “It’s going to be like mushrooms in a forest after a warm summer rain.”

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