Kenneth R. Miller

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Kenneth R. Miller (born 1948) is a biology professor at Brown University. Miller, who is Roman Catholic, is particularly known for his opposition to creationism, including the intelligent design movement. He has written a book on the subject entitled Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution, in which he furthers the argument that a belief in evolution is compatible with a belief in God.

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[edit] Biography

Kenneth Miller graduated from Rahway High School in Rahway, New Jersey before going on to attend Brown University. Miller received his Sc.B. in Biology from Brown University in 1970 and Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Colorado in 1974. From 1974 to 1980, he taught at Harvard University. His research involves problems of structure and function in biological membranes, often involving electron microscopy.

[edit] Political activity

Miller has proudly voiced his support for what he calls "pro-science" candidates in politics. He has actively campaigned for school board and education candidates who support the teaching of evolution in Kansas and Ohio. In the science community, he has sought to elevate the understanding of scientists of the roots of the creationist movement, and to encourage the popularization of scientific concepts.

Miller has appeared in court as a witness, and on panels debating the teaching of intelligent design in schools. In 2002, the Ohio State Board of Education held a public debate between two scientists, including Miller, and two proponents of intelligent design.[1] He was a witness in Selman v. Cobb County, testing the legality of stickers calling evolution a "theory, not a fact" that were placed on the biology textbook Miller authored. In 2005, the judge ruled that the stickers violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution[2][3]. This decision was vacated on appeal on a technicality, and was remanded back to the lower court and was eventually settled out of court[4]. Miller was also the plaintiff's lead expert witness in the Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District, challenging the school board's mandate to incorporate intelligent design into the curriculum. The judge in that case also ruled decisively in favor of the plaintiffs.

In 2006 the American Society for Cell Biology gave him a Public Service Award.[5] The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) also recognized Miller for his contribution to the public education of evolution in the United States. Miller also appeared at the 2006 Dwight H. Terry Lectureship at Yale, delivering a lecture entitled "Darwin, God, and Dover: What the Collapse of 'Intelligent Design' Means for Science and for Faith in America."

Miller is popularly known for having appeared on The Colbert Report.[6]

[edit] Bibliography

  • Miller, K.R. (2008) Only a Theory: Evolution and the Battle for America's Soul ISBN ISBN-13: 978-0670018833
  • Miller, K.R. (2000) Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution ISBN 0-06-093049-7
  • Miller, K.R. and Levine, J. (2002) Biology: The Living Science various editions of High School textbook.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Ken Miller. Goodbye, Columbus<. Retrieved on 2007-09-20.
  2. ^ Victory in Cobb County. National Center for Science Education (January 13, 2005). Retrieved on 2007-09-20. January 13, 2005
  3. ^ Judge: Evolution stickers unconstitutional. CNN (January 14, 2005). Retrieved on 2007-09-20.
  4. ^ Selman, et. al. vs. Cobb County Board of Education May 25, 2006
  5. ^ Forrest, Miller to receive ASCB Public Service Awards ASCB Newsletter, July 2006. Note: slow link
  6. ^ Chaz Firestone (2007-09-20). Prof. Ken Miller: life as science's media darling. Brown Daily Herald. Retrieved on 2007-09-20.

[edit] External links

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