阅读理解-第四十四篇捍卫进化论仍有必要.doc

+第四十四篇Defending the Theory〔理论〕of Evolution〔进化〕 Still Seems Needed Judith S. Weis , a biology professor who serves as president of the American Institute of Biological Sciences 〔AIBS〕 is leading a nationwide effort to defend the theory of evolution.school boards and govemment entities〔entity实体〕 The Institute believes that the teaching of evolution in America is being diminished by the teaching of creationism〔神创论〕 as well as by an overall lack of teaching Darwins theory in high school.Theres nothing that requires schools to teach evolution. Sometimes teachers in high schools just leave it out. However, from the point of view of biologists, evolution is the central theory of biology upon which everything is base， said Weis; Unfortunately〔不幸的〕, teaching evolution has become a political〔政治的〕 issue in〔导致〕many parts of the country and AIBS, as a representative of biologists ,wanted to be a major force speaking out in favor〔赞成〕 of its teaching. Weis said the institute is working together with the American Geological Institute and the National Association(社团) of Biology Teachers and its 80-plus member organizations to address the political and legislative（立法的）threats to teaching evolution. In states ?hallenging its teaching , the institute responds by sending letters to school boards and state legislatures（立法机关）, by providing（提供）testimony（证词） at public meetings and by notifying（通知）members and affiliated（加入） organizations. AIBS , with more than 80 member societies and 250 ,000 members, has established（建立）an e-mail system enabling scientists and teachers in each state , and member societies , to keep each other informed（通知）about threats（威胁）to the teaching of evolution. Darwins theory of evolution holds that living things change and adapt to their environment and that present-day species 〔including human beings〕 are descended（继承）from earlier species through modification（修改）by natural selection. The theory has been accepted byscientists for nearly l00 years,Weis said, and has be