Implications of the theory of evolution in an information society

Authors

  • Milagros Pérez Oliva

Abstract

As we celebrate the Darwin bicentennial, biology is in the midst of one of its most fruitful stages. At the same time, although the theory of evolution is fully accepted by the scientific community, there is a movement to adapt traditional creationism to the new demands of scientific culture, presenting it to society in the form of intelligent design. This is a good example of adaptation as a universal value, but adaptation also entails changes and mutations. Aside from the current atmosphere of abuse of Darwinian theories, it is interesting to note the changes and mutations as knowledge becomes socialized. The way in which society processes the revolution in biology is paradigmatic. The extraordinary breakthroughs achieved in the areas of molecular biology and genetics are opening doors to an understanding of the basic mechanisms of life, a goal that a few years ago seemed more appropriate to science fiction. Cloning, cellular reprogramming, and tissue engineering are new concepts that have quickly become a part of the medias everyday vocabulary. However, the production of new knowledge is accelerating at a rate that society has difficulty to keep pace with and thus to adapt itself to the implications of these new findings; but progress cannot be stopped. As the mass media has become the main transmitter of new knowledge and society has in response become increasingly medialized, knowledge seems to flow instantaneously from the laboratory to the public. In the last several years, use of the internet has multiplied exponentially and thus so has the total quantity of information in circulation. On the World Wide Web, however, truth cannot be readily discerned from fiction or even from outright lies. Moreover, when scientific evidence conflicts with economic interests, the media can be abused, serving as a weapon against the unwanted truth.

Published

2010-06-21

Issue

Section

Celebration of the Darwin Year 2009