July 25, 2006 - Dr. Aldemaro Romero, department chair and professor of Biological Sciences, at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, has been invited to give a lecture at Oxford University for a conference titled “Science and Faith: The Great Matter.”

Romero, together with other distinguished scholars from around the world that include renowned academicians in science and theology, will give a presentation titled “The real big issue between science and religion: purposeness vs. uncertainty.”

Romero will review the response to Darwin’s ideas among scientists working on cave animals, most of whom cannot explain the evolution of cave creatures by means of natural selection.

Evolutionists from the beginning, including Darwin, struggled to find an explanation for the loss of features during evolution, particularly the loss of eyes and pigmentation among many cave organisms. Romero believes that although Darwin responded to this challenge by embracing neo-Lamarckian ideas, most biologists, at least until the advent of the modern synthesis, strongly advocated directional evolution propelled by more or less mystical forces.

According to Romero, many early researchers working on cave animals became neo-Lamarckians, believers in the theory of use and disuse, while supporting the notion that evolution was guided by spiritual forces toward a particular goal. He will conclude his presentation by suggesting that today’s controversies surrounding the evolution-creation debate are not really about biblical literalism versus scientific evidence, but rather on the disgust created in many quarters that view evolution as a materialistic, purposeless process.

For more information contact: Dr. Romero, Department of Biological Sciences at (870) 972-3082 or by aromero@astate.edu.