Science Leader Says President Bush Confuses Science and Belief

Science Leader Says President Bush Confuses Science and Belief: "'If [Bush] meant that intelligent design should be given equal standing with the theory of evolution in the nation's science classrooms, then he is undermining efforts to increase the understanding of science,' Spilhaus said in a statement. 'Intelligent design' is not a scientific theory.'

Evolution states that plant, animals and lower life forms are all subject to change over time, and that changes can bring about new species with differing characteristics. Humans are said to have evolved from other primates.

Christian conservatives -- a substantial part of Bush's voting base -- have been pushing for the teaching of intelligent design in public schools.

Untestable

Scientists have rejected intelligent design as an attempt to force religion into science education. They say the notion has no support from any observable evidence. Evolution, on the other hand, is a well-documented theory that explains existing evidence, which draws from fossils, DNA analyses and investigations of living things.

Intelligent design proponents claim evolution theory has holes, so alternatives should be taught. Scientists counter that evolution is among the most solid theories of science.

The idea of intelligent design is entirely untestable, scientists further argue, and if an idea can't be tested, then it can't be proved one way or the other and so is not a theory."