RE: paleonet anti-evolutionism - suggestion for wording

[Peter Paul Smolka <smolka@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Mon, 3 Feb 2003, Kaesler, Roger L wrote:

> Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2003 10:56:45 -0600
> From: "Kaesler, Roger L" <kaesler@ku.edu>
> Reply-To: paleonet@nhm.ac.uk
> To: "'paleonet@nhm.ac.uk'" <paleonet@nhm.ac.uk>
> Subject: RE: paleonet anti-evolutionism
>
> Dear colleagues,
>
> I have always taken the view that if my letters of recommendation are to be
> taken seriously, I need to have some damning ones out there in addition to
> those that extol the virtues of the applicant.  Thus, whereas it seems
> perfectly appropriate to base one's recommendation on the student's grasp of
> and ability to apply the fundamental principles of science, it is, I
> believe, inappropriate to refuse to write a letter for such a student.  To
> do so risks that such students will be admitted inadvertently to graduate

Dear colleagues,

as far as I understood the initial problem, a student asked Prof. Dini
to write a letter and, as Prof. Dini wished not to do so, the
issue went to the lawyers.

Thus I think there are three problems involved:

1) The student (as I understood) wants to pursure a carreer in medicine.
For doing so there must be a certification of his skills he aquired.
This, if he aquired these, they cannot be denied
(especially if he paid fees for the course).

2) If in this respect in his and potential judges view the respective
university does not certifiy his level, he might file a lawsuit
against the university including claiming a repair of all direct,
indirect and consequential damages, including a compensation
for the shock of being treated unfair. This might, depending on
the career anticipated, be quite expensive, especially if a judge
forwards that to Prof. Dini and his private property.

3) The denial of evolution, which is generally accepted science,
can in this context also be mentioned in the letter without
causing problems, neither for Prof. Dini nor the student.

Thus I would recommend in such cases a procedure (to be checked
with the lawyers) as follows:

Mr. abc, graduate student of (subject) attended from nn to mm my class
titled (title) at (name)-university.

The objectives of my course had been:

List of subjects.

He performed biological analyses of ... at (for example A-level)
He wrote reports on at (n-Level)
He participated...
He did....

Thus above-mentioned skills, have been developed on an excellent level.
They can be applied in medicine, the subject the student chose,
with the following restrictions:

In the science of Biology it is a generally accepted fact that biota
evolve by evolution. This includes also microbiota such as bacteria
and viruses.

Student (name) according to his currently strongly expressed views refuses
to accept the concept of evolution as part of biological science.

Thus the student is expected to meet problems if he has to face
the ongoing development of new diseases such as new viruses or new
bacteria. The ongoing efforts of the herbicide industry, just to mention
an example, an industry who fights against resistances (also
resistances against for example Malaria-treating medicaments), show,
according to the view of the signing person, that evolution is
a phenomenon we must face as matter of fact.

If student (name) changes his view on evolution, he can be recommended
without restrictions (specification). Until that he can be
recommended to courses and research (wording describing the restriction)

*******************************

Of course to be checked. This is the view of a geologist without
any consultation with a lawyer.

I hereby state that I am, as I am not a lawyer, not liable for
for any claims in whichoever form they may arise. These lines are
intended as contribution to a discussion to find - after some
modifications - a good wording that keeps Prof. Dini and all
others who may run into such problems, out of such problems.


Best regards, Peter

**********************************************************************
Dr. Peter P. Smolka
University Muenster
Geological Institute
Corrensstr. 24
D-48149 Muenster

Tel.: +49/251/833-3989   +49/2533/4401
Fax:  +49/251/833-3989   +49/2533/4401
E-Mail: smolka@uni-muenster.de
E-Mail: PSmolka@T-Online.de
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