The Discovery Institute says a new nationwide survey reveals that most Americans support science teachers providing students with information both for and against Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.

The survey, sanctioned by the Discovery Institute, found that 88 percent of Americans believe students should be learning about both the pro and con behind the scientific evidence to Darwin’s theory.

"There is growing peer-reviewed research that questions the adequacy of the Darwinian mechanism of random mutation and natural selection," added Discovery Institute biologist Ann Gauger. Gauger holds a Ph.D. in developmental biology from the University of Washington, and she has served in the past as a post-doctoral Fellow at Harvard University, said the Discovery Institute in a statement..

Important to note is that Discovery Institute is a Washington-based think tank that is known for its support of teaching intelligent design in the classroom, a practice that many in the science community admonish against.

As for how the survey was conducted, the Discovery Institute said this:

"The poll was conducted by Discovery Institute using SurveyMonkey Audience, which randomly sampled the adult members of its nationally representative panel of more than 6 million U.S. residents. Survey responses were collected from Jan. 5-9, 2016, and the survey included 2,117 completed responses for this question.”

The Institute says that the adults who support teaching the pros and cons behind Darwin’s theory represent all religions, ages, genders and party affiliations:

• 79% of men and 83% of women support teaching the evidence for and against Darwin's theory.
• 85% of theists, 65% of atheists, and 79% of agnostics support this approach.
• 79% of Democrats support teaching the evidence for and against Darwin's theory, and so do 82% of independents and 85% of Republicans.
• 85% of middle-aged Americans (ages 45-59) support teaching the evidence for and against Darwin's theory, and so do 81% of young adults (ages 18-29) and senior citizens (ages 60 and older).

Education World would like to know: Do you support teaching both sides to Darwin’s theory in the classroom? Take our poll or comment below. 

Article by Nicole Gorman, Education World Contributor

2/2/2016