Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio) California court case noted dealing with creationist's opposition to Chas. Darwin's theory of evolution as expressed in "The Origin of Species."
REPORTER: John Chancellor

(Sacramento, California) Debate over evolution between Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan at Scopes trial in Tennessee recalled; films of trial shown. [Attorney Richard TURNER - states creationists' theory.] Judge Irving Perluss' refusal to dismiss case as requested by deputy attorney general Robert Tyler noted. [Biological Sciences Curriculum Study spokesperson Dr. William MAYER - cites detrimental effect if creationists win.] Suit, orchestrated by Kasey Segraves' parents Kelly and Nel Segraves, operators of Creation Science Research Center, examined. [Nel SEGRAVES - says prostitution, drugs and other crimes are result of teaching theory of evolution in schools.] Implications if suit is successful explained; ntnwide. anti-evolution movement, such as that in Georgia, discussed. [Center for Creation Studies spokesperson Dr. Duane GISH - thinks there's evidence to support recent creation theory.] [American Museum of Natural History spokesperson Dr. Niles ELDRIDGE - calls creation theory ridiculous.] [GISH - wants students to hear his theory.] [Biological Sciences Curriculum Study spokesperson Dr. William MAYER - equates situation with teaching witchcraft in medical school.] Basic question of trial outlined.
REPORTER: Robert Bazell