Biology Quote by David K. DeWolf
““Teachers seeking to 'teach the controversy' over Darwinian evolution in today's climate will likely be met with false warnings that it is unconstitutional to say anything negative about Darwinian evolution. Students who attempt to raise questions about Darwinism, or who try to elicit from the teacher an honest answer about the status of intelligent design theory will trigger administrators' concerns about whether they stand in Constitutional jeopardy. A chilling effect on open inquiry is being felt in several states already, including Ohio. South Carolina, and Pennsylvania. [District Court] Judge Jones's message is clear: give Darwin only praise, or else face the wrath of the judiciary.””
About This Quote
The quote warns that attempts to discuss controversial views on evolution may be suppressed by institutional pressure, creating a chilling effect on academic freedom.
In simple terms: Discussing evolution can be censored, discouraging open debate.
Key Takeaway
Protect open inquiry and resist censorship.
Themes
academic freedom
politics
education
science
censorship
Mood
concerned
defensive
Type
political
legal
When to use this quote
- classroom discussions
- policy debates
- legal challenges
- teacher training
- student activism
Key Concepts
constitutional law
political pressure
science communication
Questions to Reflect On
- How can educators balance scientific standards with open inquiry?
- What safeguards exist for academic freedom?
A Different Perspective
The claim may overstate legal risks and ignore protections for academic discourse.
![“Natural selection eliminates and maybe maintains, but it doesn't create... Neo-Darwinists say that new species emerge when mutations occur and modify an organism. I was taught over and over again that the accumulation of random mutations led to evolutionary change [which] led to new species. I…” quote by Lynn Margulis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5b9/lynn-margulis-17073_biology_natural-selection-eliminates-and-maybe-m_397958.jpg)
