ANDERSON, GREGORY J. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3043. - Professional societies and promotion of the biological sciences: Will this be the "Century of Biology?".
Science has enjoyed unprecedented public support for the past half
century. Now, in the face of increasing loss of biodiversity and
continuing environmental degradation, there are serious questions
regarding renewal of the endangered species laws, passage of
environmental legislation, and surprisingly, in this new millennium, a
successful campaign based on fear and misinformation has revived an
anti-evolution sentiment. Organized support for legislative science
appropriations, curricular reforms and enhancement of the image of
science and scientists is well developed in chemistry, physics,
geology, the medical sciences and molecular biology. In organismal and
integrative biology, advocacy of the field comes primarily from
individuals and volunteer committees. Although the latter are
important and significant activities, this ad hoc advocacy means that
effective, full time, coordinated, professional public advocacy for
our fields is minimal. To be effective at this critical time, we have
to empower our professional societies to commit to such public
advocacy or face continuing erosion of public and governmental
support.
Key words: anti-evolution, biodiversity, legislative challenges, public advocacy, science and public policy