The Lyman Briggs School has sought to clear the intersection between science and society, through its second annual lecture series.
And John Vandermeer, a professor of biology at the University of Michigan, plans to reveal how race relates to biology in the third of five lectures in the series.
The lecture, “How Great Our Sin: Biology and Race in the Western World,” will be presented at 7:30 p.m today in room C-106, Holmes Hall.
“The whole ideology of biological differences amongst people has a long history in the development of our society,” Vandermeer said. “But modern biology leaves no doubt that there is no biological basis to human races.”
Vandermeer, who is considered a leader in his field, is the author of “Reconstructing Biology: Genetics and Ecology in the New World Order.”
Vandermeer said he plans to outline the social and political forces that caused people to believe races are genetically different.
“What I hope to do is make it clear to everyone exactly where the ideas came from and what modern biology has to say about it,” he said.
Gerald Urquhart, a Lyman Briggs assistant professor, said Vandermeer’s extensive research background makes him an ideal candidate to expose the truth about race.
“There are so many different viewpoints and a lot of information that isn’t factual,” he said. “People don’t really question the truth of science.”
Kristie Macrakis, coordinator of the lecture series and a Lyman Briggs associate professor, said today’s lecture fits well with the lecture series theme - biology and society.
“Race has been an important and controversial topic in America,” she said. “And the whole lecture series offers relevant topics that speak to people’s concerns today.”
The next lecture, scheduled for the next Wednesday, will feature MSU Professor Robert Pennock. He will address the issue of allowing creationism to be taught in schools along with the theory of evolution, an issue currently being considered by legislation.
Macrakis said the lecture series is unique because it is intended for anyone interested.
“The philosophy of this lecture series is that it’s pitched to a general audience and not just to specialists,” she said. “It’s the best the best way for people to talk to each other in a productive way.
“And for the students, it’s intellectually stimulating.”
