3 February 2010

Evolution debate to benefit good causes

Charity will be the winner when two conflicting theories of evolution are debated at the University of Dundee next week.

A night in aid of good causes has been organised by the newly formed Life Sciences Society. Two lecturers from the University, Dr Keith Skene and Dr Patrick Randolph-Quinney, will go head-to-head in a gladiatorial contest of intellectual proportions on Wednesday, February 10th.

Dr Skene will defend the arguments he made in his book, Shadows on the Cave Wall: A New Theory of Evolution against the Neo-Darwinist position adopted by his colleague as they compete in front of the assembled audience.

The Society was formed to bring together all students studying for different science-based degrees, although associate membership is also open to University staff. Since being launched in November last year, 259 members have signed up to the Life Sciences Society through their Facebook page.

The debate is likely to be fierce but friendly, according to Alyson Rice, secretary of the Life Sciences Society, and one of the event organisers.

'The aim of the Skene/Quinney event was to bring two great scientists together in a debate but also to launch Life Sciences Dundee and make more students and staff aware of it', she explained.

'Our aim as a society is to bring together and represent all life sciences students and to have fun in the process. We are hoping to hold pub quizzes, more debates, and hopefully a full range of events, including our Society Ball, which is being planned for around March.'

The debate takes place at the Dalhousie Building from 6pm on Wednesday, February 10th. Tickets cost £3, and can be purchased from the main foyer at Dundee University Students Association, or by emailing a.rice@dundee.ac.uk.

Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the debate, and £2 from each ticket sold will go to the speaker’s charities. Dr Randolp-Quinney will be helping to raise funds for Maggies Centre, while Dr Skene will be supporting the Valerie Taylor Trust, which raises money for the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed in Bangladesh.

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Grant Hill
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University of Dundee
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