Misconceptions
Reacting to his stepping down, Lord Robert Winston, professor of science and society at Imperial College London, said: “I fear that in this action the Royal Society may have only diminished itself.
“This is not a good day for the reputation of science or scientists.
“This individual was arguing that we should engage with and address public misconceptions about science – something that the Royal Society should applaud.”
Dr Roland Jackson, chief executive of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, said Prof Reiss’s departure was a “real loss”.
“I was at the actual discussion and what I heard him say , however it has been reported, was essentially the position advocated by the Royal Society,” he said.
Dr Jackson said the organisation “should have supported him and used this opportunity to further a reasoned debate”.
Professor Chris Higgins, vice-chancellor of the University of Durham, said: “There should be no room for doubt – creationism is completely unsupportable as a theory, and the only reason to mention creationism in schools is to enable teachers to demonstrate why the idea is scientific nonsense and has no basis in evidence or rational thought.”
Professor Michael Reiss has quit as director of education at the Royal Society following the controversy over his recent comments on creationism.
Last week Prof Reiss – a Church of England minister – said creationism should be discussed in science lessons if pupils raised the issue.
He was criticised by other scientists – though misquoted as saying creationism should be “taught” in science classes.
The society said some of his comments had been “open to misinterpretation”.
This had damaged its reputation.
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