One of the big problems with intelligent design is that it offers no testable hypotheses. In other words, how do you use natural laws to test for the presence of the supernatural? Evolution works all-too-efficiently in the case of cancer cells which evolve resistance to chemotherapy. Evolution offers pathways to knowledge as we test drugs designed for humans on rats and pigs and monkeys instead of on snakes and toads and worms. Evolution research has proven to be fruitful and productive, leading to financially-viable products and ideas.
Right now, the folks over at the Discovery Institute are getting their knickers in a twist because of an award from a foundation with a familiar-sounding name. 
The part which the DI doesn't like is bolded:
The task of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Robert Koch Foundation - to decide which scientists should be recognized for their achievements - is not easy. It's no secret that scientific fields and individual scientists are confidentially discussed among the members of the Scientific Advisory Board for years. These discussions are focused exclusively on the scientific excellence of the candidates, without regard to their political, social, or personal beliefs. On the other hand, the Scientific Advisory Board must also consider the moral and ethical implications of the research and, if necessary, publicly criticize or even condemn scientific work that they consider morally or ethically unacceptable.
As you already know, German medical research was misused during the past century for unscientific purposes, which also negatively affected the name and reputation of Robert Koch. This was discovered recently by a group of independent historians researching on behalf of the Robert Koch Institute. The "German Physics" or the so-called Lyssenko Genetics represent misdirected pseudoscientific developments.
Research must remain free and therefore has to be protected from non-scientific influences such as "Creationism", "Fundamentalism", "Intelligent Design", or other non-scientific ideas or religious convictions.
As you already know, German medical research was misused during the past century for unscientific purposes, which also negatively affected the name and reputation of Robert Koch. This was discovered recently by a group of independent historians researching on behalf of the Robert Koch Institute. The "German Physics" or the so-called Lyssenko Genetics represent misdirected pseudoscientific developments.
Research must remain free and therefore has to be protected from non-scientific influences such as "Creationism", "Fundamentalism", "Intelligent Design", or other non-scientific ideas or religious convictions.
Although the DI article refers to the award as coming from the "Koch Foundation,"
The Robert Koch Medal was established to honor the greatest living physicians, and the Robert Koch Foundation, established with generous grants from the German government and from the American philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919), was founded to work toward the eradication of tuberculosis.
- this "Koch Foundation" isn't the one founded by Kansas natives Charles & David Koch. The Koch brothers of Wichita head up the largest privately-held company in the world. Along the way, they've supported numerous conservative organizations, started up think tanks such as the Cato Institute, and founded the Koch Foundation. David Koch ran for president on the Libertarian ticket in 1980 and remains the most successful Libertarian candidate to date, having drawn just under one million votes. The Koch brothers support the idea that a free market, unhindered by government interference, is best for American freedom in the long run although recent events call that philosophy into question. Likewise, the Kochs would like to see public schools follow free-market philosophies, with our tax monies going to support vouchers for private, religious education.
So you'd think that the Koch Foundation would thus be primed to support the inclusion of any and all ideas in public school classrooms, where those ideas could survive or perish according to their perceived fitness - sort of a "curriculum by natural selection." That's the type of science instruction the Discovery Institute seeks to perpetrate on our kids in the form of
Well, think again. David H. Koch is a primary supporter of PBS' NOVA program.
The Discovery Institute has a history of seeking martyrdom. Was it doing so as it conflated two distinct foundations? Fortunately for REAL science, both of these foundations see clearly the difference between science and nonsense.
posted by Cheryl Shepherd-Adams
