Turkish and American Scientists celebrate Bio-diversity by recognizing Darwin’s theories and contributions

Turkish and American Scientists celebrate Bio-diversity by recognizing Darwin’s theories and contributions to our current conceptualization of Evolution and the origins of life and the diversity of species.

The year 2009 is the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species (24 November 1859) and the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth (12 February 1809). While this momentous event is celebrated around the world, Turkish and American scientists are also gathering at numerous scientific meetings around Turkey to commemorate and recognize his astonishing creativity, discipline and genius. In Istanbul, a series of symposia and meetings, attended by both national and international experts in the areas of evolutionary and systems biology amongst others, have been planned to celebrate his works, ideas, and examine how far they have expanded beyond Biology and into other disciplines, such as psychology, religious studies and philosophy of mind. The events associated with the “Darwin and Beyond” symposium series organized by TASSA member Sabanci University are taking place between April 10th and May 27th can be found at “www.evrimcalismagrubu.org/haberler/184-darwin-ve-oetesi.html”

Again, TASSA member Yeditepe University also hosted a series of presentations to commemorate Darwin, details of which can be found at “www.evrimcalismagrubu.org/haberler/182-evrim-ve-felsefe-sempozyumu.html”

Similar meetings and symposia have taken place in Ankara at METU, where on April 21st 2009 world renowned evolutionary biologist and geneticist Francisco Ayala discussed his 2007 book titled “Darwin’s Gift to Science and Religion”.

The second annual “Evolution, Science and Education Symposium” will also take place in Istanbul, hosted by TASSA Institutional member Bosphorus University May 23-24 2009. Details found at http://evrimsempozyumu.org.