Proposed 2004 Textbook Selectively Addresses “ Darwin ’s Finches” and Omits Data Not Supporting Evolutionary Theories

In the proposed 2004 Prentice Hall textbook “Biology”, the Galapagos Island Finches are discussed on several pages (406-410, 412-414).  A study conducted by the Grants is referenced repeatedly as evidence for evolution in progress, (specifically related to beak size measurements).  Nowhere in the text do the authors report that what the Grants observed was an oscillating variation in beak sizes, apparently dependent on weather conditions and/or available food supplies.  What was actually observed was variation within a species, not any net genetic change in a species.   The beak sizes were observed to increase in size during dry years, go back the way they were before during normal years and actually shrunk during wet years.  This is well known, and in fact, is reported in several of the other proposed 2004 textbooks.  (See graph below from the 2004 Holt submission, p.290.  It shows the full extent of the Grants’ data, including the observation that the beak size oscillated, and did NOT move in a single direction only!)  This type of variation is no more significant in evolutionary terms than variations in hair color or eye color!

This is but one example of pro-evolution bias that appears in varying degrees in all proposed books.  Importantly, it is an error of omission, just as an omission by a student in giving an incomplete answer is marked as wrong.  It should be promptly corrected.  Given that Texas law specifies that both ‘strengths and weaknesses’ of evolutionary theory be taught, to intentionally omit relevant data is unconscionable and misleading.  We suggest it amounts to scientific censorship