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Oklahoma: Doomed

Oklahoma is facing antiscience legislation that undermines education. Discover the implications of the Scientific Education and Academic Freedom Act.

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C'mon, Sooners! Can't you at least let this new year get a little ripe before shooting yourselves in the foot? One week into 2009, and Oklahoma lawmakers are already trying to pass antiscience legislation:

Senate Bill 320 (document), prefiled in the Oklahoma Senate and scheduled for a first reading on February 2, 2009, is apparently the first antievolution bill of 2009. Entitled the "Scientific Education and Academic Freedom Act," SB 320 would, if enacted, require state and local educational authorities to "assist teachers to find more effective ways to present the science curriculum where it addresses scientific controversies" and permit teachers to "help students understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories pertinent to the course being taught." The only topics specifically mentioned as controversial are "biological evolution, the chemical origins of life, global warming, and human cloning."

Wow, ...

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