Sehoya Cotner is a professor of biology at the University of Minnesota. Her research interests include evolution education for the non-scientist and using sex to teach evolution.

In an interview with Specimen Magazine, Dr. Cotner said:

It’s clear that we have a big science problem in our country. . . . I don’t think it’s exclusively a U.S. phenomenon. . . . There is non-science everywhere. There is pseudo-science or creationism in place of evolution. I don’t care how enlightened we think the country is.

She is the coauthor with Randy Moore of Arguing for Evolution: An Encyclopedia for Understanding Science. In the book, they write:

“What insect could suck it?” These were the words Charles Darwin used when, in 1862, he was confronted with the Madagascan orchid, Angraecum sesquipedale. . . . Because the flower’s nectar sat at the base of a foot-long spur, Darwin could not imagine what creature might be able to pollinate it. Yet . . . Darwin was able to make a logical prediction: “[I]n Madagascar there must be moths with proboscises capable of extension to a length of between ten and eleven inches!” Nobody had ever reported on such a creature; moreover, the same group of orchids had been used earlier by the Duke of Argyll to cite the existence of a creator. . . . Sure enough, in 1903—21 years after Darwin’s death—scientists reported the existence of a moth in Madagascar with a proboscis long enough to reach the unusual orchid’s nectar.

For the February meeting of Minnesota Atheists, Dr. Cotner will speak on “Are We Still Evolving?” Be there to learn the answer.

The February Minnesota Atheists meeting will be held at the Southdale Public Library, 7001 York Avenue South, Edina, on February 16th. The meeting will follow our usual schedule:

1:00-1:15 p.m. Informal Gathering Time
1:15-1:45 p.m. Business Meeting
1:45-2:00 p.m. Break
2:00-3:30 p.m. Program

You may attend any part of the meeting you wish. At 4:00 p.m. there will be an optional dinner at Q. Cumbers, 7465 France Avenue South, Edina.