The state of Kansas again finds itself at the forefront of the heated evolution debate after Robert Hemenway, chancellor of the state's flagship public institution, sent an e-mail to University of Kansas faculty and staff endorsing evolution as the only theory of origin to be taught in science classes.

"[T]he attack on evolution continues across America and compels me to again state the obvious," Hemenway said in his e-mail, posted on the university's web site. "As an academic, scientific community, we must affirm scientific principles."

According to KU Director of Research Communications Kevin Boatright, Kansas' reputation as "anti-science" stems from the state's 10 publicly elected members composing the Board of Education.

In 1999, the board declined to include evolution in its optional teaching standards for public schools in Kansas and decided schools need not be tested on the subject. The board has since changed its stance on the issue, but Boatright said anti-evolution viewpoints once again hold a majority.

"A new majority is in place and they're revisiting the science standards," he said. "It became clear in this whole process that the recommendations coming to them from a group of qualified scientists were not going to be just accepted in total."

Education Board Chair Steve Abrams said significant scientific evidence exists against the evolutionary theory, and added the board only is trying to ensure evolution is not taught as scientific dogma.

"I think that [Hemenway] is mistaken in what we are trying to get accomplished," Abrams said. "It has more to do with understanding what is good science than religion."

According to Abrams, the evolutionary theory still is open for debate and therefore should not be taught exclusively in science classrooms. Additionally, Abrams said, accusations of Kansas as anti-science are "bologna."

"From a science standpoint, I believe that neo-Darwinian biological evolution has not been proven scientifically," he said. "It's basically being taught as a fact, and [when] you talk to those [teachers], they say 'absolutely evolution is a fact, everyone knows it's a fact.'"

Sue Gamble, Abrams' fellow board member, said she is part of the four-member minority who disagree with the majority stance set forth by Abrams. Although the new standards never do actually refer to intelligent design or creationism, Gamble said intelligent design concepts are present.

"They have proposed redefining science to include supernatural explanations which is impossible for science to do, science can only explain natural phenomenon," she said.

Abrams responded by pointing out the word "supernatural" never appears in the standards either, and said Gamble wants evolution taught as dogma.

Addressing the omnipresent issue of religious fundamentalism surrounding the topic, Hemenway said in his e-mail, "on a personal level, I see no contradiction in being a person of faith who believes in God and evolution, and I'm sure many others at this university agree."

According to Abrams, however, contradictions clearly exist between the word of the Bible and the teachings of evolutionary theory.

"If you read the Bible, and clearly understand those words, and if you clearly read and understand neo-Darwinian biological evolution, at some point in time you have to decide which one you believe," Abrams said. "Personally I believe it as it's told in the Bible."