A Row in the Making Signs of Thaw

Home , Cyril Domb

-~------NEVVS------NA-~____ v_o_L._l00 __ 2t_AP __ ~__ t__~ Science and Jewish Orthodoxy Professor Michel Revel, a leading expert on interferon and as an observant Jew, dismisses the organizers of the conference A row in the making as a vociferous and unrepresentative Rehovot improbability that life originated and group. Revel sees the account of creation in THE Hebrew University in Jerusalem was developed by evolutionary means. This Genesis, with its progression from lower to last month host to a gathering that has being the case, there is no other possibility higher forms of life, as being in broad brought the subject of Creationism to the than the divine origin of life." His view was agreement with Darwinism. He is disturb fore and stirred up strong emotions. The echoed by Dr Duane Gish, a leading Chris ed by the growing intolerance he finds in " First Congress on Inquiries into the tian creationist from the United States. religious circles as well as by the attempts Origin of Life and Evolution" was organ- Professor Cyril Domb, a physicist who made to pit religion against science. ized by Orthodox Jewish scientists from some years ago left Kings College, London "When a child is told to accept something Israeli institutions of higher education and to join Israel's Bar-Ilan University, took a on faith rather than on the basis of scien took place under the auspices of the Israeli different line. He asserted that many tific evidence, he is liable to lose that faith Ministry of Education with the support of aspects of the theory of evolution had been when he finds that science was right after the Israel National Council for Research refuted, but not in time to prevent the all", Revel warns. NechemiaMeyers and Development and the Israel Academy theory from doing "enormous moral of Sciences and Humanities. damage to Western society" by encourag- Soviet-Australian relations A charismatic, ultra-Orthodox ing a belief in man's animal nature and in a Jerusalem rabbi called Mordechai Arnon meaningless Universe. At the same time, he had previously raised the issue of Dar- saw no point in portraying the Genesis Signs of thaw winism in Israeli secular schools, but since account of events as an alternative scien Canberra he was a comedian before "seeing the tific theory as its acceptance was based on SoviET-Australian cultural relations are light", his initiative was not taken serious- revealed truth, not on experimental coming in out of the cold after more than ly; now, with leading scientists and official evidence; it was thus above science. three years. The new Labor Government is bodies involved, the issue cannot be ig- The main concern at the congress was the likely to abandon the sanctions applied nored. threat of Darwinism in secular schools, but against the Soviet Union after Soviet troops Some participants at the congress, while computer expert L.M. Spetner warned that moved into Afghanistan. Since 1979, finding fault with the Darwinian and neo- it had also found its way into religious bilateral scientific cooperation has been Darwinian approaches, also said that the schools. "If Darwinism is to be in the cur suspended, all high-ranking Soviet other doctrines, including that put forward riculum at all", he declared, "then it officials excluded and academic exchanges in Genesis, are open to question. However, should be only as a means of preparing banned. Relations between the two Professor Alvin Radkovsky, of Ben- students to confront it." countries reached a nadir last August when Gurion University of the Negev in Beer- Most non-observant Israel scientists the entire team of Soviet registrants sheba, felt otherwise. In a talk on miracles, disagreed with the views heard at the boycotted the international congress of Radkovsky said scientific research had meeting, but so did many Orthodox scien biochemistry held in Perth under the aegis already demonstrated "the extreme tists. For example, Weizmann Institute of the International Union of Bio chemistry, after two Soviet scientists were Thus religious Jews often install timers refused visas (see Nature 299, 97; 1982). Never on Saturday in their homes that turn their lights off and Foreshadowing the change in policy, the Rehovot on at predetermined times on Saturday. Prime Minister, Mr Bob Hawke, said last ORTHODOX Jewish scientists may disagree Professor William Z. Low, president of the month that there is a ''lack of consistency'' on evolution, but all agree that the tools of Jerusalem College of Technology has in Australian relations with the Soviet science should be used to facilitate ritual recently pointed out that this approach of Union, with sanctions in some fields but osbervance of the Sabbath. The problem is continued action combined with "indirect business as usual in the export of wool and particularly acute in Israel, where vital causation" can be used to solve much more meat to the Soviet Union. services must be maintained by Jews difficult problems where essential work One of the casualties of the sanctions has throughout the year even though Orthodox must be carried out by the army, police or been the bilateral science and technology Jews will not ordinarily so much as turn on hospitals. For instance a set of pre agreement signed in January 1975. The a light on the Sabbath. programmed instruction cards could be in agreement has as one of its aims "the When is a 'phone not a 'phone? serted on the Sabbath into a processor in exchange of scientists, technical specialists a nonoperational mode. The processor and delegations with the aim of carrying would be programmed (before Saturday) out scientific research" and as another to self-activate automatically every few "the pursuit of joint research activities". seconds, to read the instructions and to res Only last week, an ex-chief of the division pond, thus effecting complicated changes of entomology at the Commonwealth in factory operations. Scientific and Industrial Research Organi Special technological answers to the pro zation, Dr D.F. Waterhouse, was made an blems of Sabbath observance are also honorary fellow of the Soviet Academy of useful to Orthodox Jews in the political Science in recognition of his contributions sphere. Israel's Ambassador to the United towards scientific cooperation with the Nations, Professor Yehuda Blum, has been Soviet Union in entomology. greatly aided by his special Sabbath Fortunately, cooperation, scientific and telephone, which works on the basis of "in otherwise, has never been suspended in direct causation''. When it rings and Blum Antarctica. Recently an Australian supply picks it up, he is not automatically con ship making its last run for the year to nected with the person at the other end of Hobart later than usual, found itself the line; that happens only when an caught in pack-ice in Prydz Bay. A Soviet automatic electronic device "sees" that he icebreaker from a nearby base responded has lifted the receiver and activates his line. to a call for help, but as it turned out its Nechemia Meyers services were not needed. Vimala Sarma