North Texas Skeptic - Vol 09 No 02 - 1995

Magazine Overview

The Newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics, Volume 9 Number 2, published in February 1995, features two primary articles: one scrutinizing a health product and another detailing a local controversy over the inclusion of Creationist material in public school science classes.

Healthy Skepticism

This article, authored by Tim Gorski, M.D., critically examines a health product called AMARANTHINE, promoted by The Worldlife Company. David Magee, previously known for promoting an oral chelation therapy product, is now making similar claims for AMARANTHINE. Magee alleges that the product cured his severe coronary artery blockage, negating the need for bypass surgery. The article details the product's purported ingredients: Chlorella algae, S.O.D. (superoxide dismutase), Ginko extract, and selenium. Gorski explains that S.O.D. is an enzyme that would likely degrade into amino acids if taken orally, questioning its efficacy as a 'miracle vitamin' or 'anti-aging nutrient.' The article also points out that S.O.D. is distinct from catalase, another enzyme, and dismisses the claim that copper in S.O.D. explains arthritis benefits, likening it to past ineffective copper bracelet sales. The inclusion of Ginkgo is attributed to 'sympathetic magic' due to its status as 'the oldest living tree.' While Ginkgo is claimed to be a 'brain tonic,' research suggests it can cause vasoconstriction and severe allergic reactions, with potential cross-allergenicity with poison ivy. Selenium is presented as a general cancer preventative. The product is offered with a money-back guarantee at $32.95 for a month's supply. The D/FW Council Against Health Fraud is cited as the source of this information, with Dr. Gorski identified as a practicing physician and chairman of this council, as well as a North Texas Skeptics Technical Advisor.

Creationist text urged for Plano schools

Written by Mike Sullivan and Joe Voelkering, this article reports on the effort by three Plano, Texas school trustees—Tom Wilds, Don Mills, and Gary Clark—to introduce the Creationist textbook 'Of Pandas and People: The Central Question of Biological Origins (Second Edition)' as a supplemental text in Plano high school biology classes. The book is promoted as a way to supplement biology texts, with the trustees advocating for district funds to purchase copies for all biology teachers. An organized group of approximately 75 Plano parents, under the banner of Keep Quality in Plano Schools (KQUIPS), opposes this move. The article notes that at least one other trustee, Judy Coppolo, also supports the book, potentially leading to a 7-member board vote on February 7. The district has about 3,000 biology students, and the purchase of many copies could be funded if approved. Wilds suggested that authorizing samples with district funds could bypass the usual textbook review process. Texas state funds cannot be used as the book is not on the state-approved list.

'Pandas,' published by the Richardson-based Foundation for Thought and Ethics, is described as a thinly-veiled promotion of special creation, using the euphemism 'intelligent designer' for God. It claims that complex designs in nature cannot be explained by evolution and that organisms were created 'ex nihilo.' Tom Wilds is quoted as stating 'Darwinism is full of holes' and that 'Pandas' brings out 'other possibilities for how our universe got started.' The article notes that the publisher has not provided names of districts using the text, and it has been rejected in California, Idaho, and Alabama. The article also mentions that the 'Pandas pandemonium' has occurred in another large Dallas-area school district, where officials conducted an extensive review, consulted science education groups, and found no public school district had approved the book. Their legal counsel determined that the 'intelligent designer' concept was a euphemism for a Creator, making the book's content akin to proselytizing and thus barred by the First Amendment. Officials also cited fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers, anticipating legal challenges and significant expenditure of funds.

North Texas Skeptics President Joe Voelkering commended the administration of that district for its academic and ethical standards. Plano officials may face similar legal challenges. The article notes that other school officials believe 'Pandas' will be tested in court in Texas, and individual board members could be held liable for advancing their own views.

The KQUIPS group, formed after the election of Mills, Clark, and Wilds, has sought help from groups familiar with Creationist issues. Evelyn Peelle, KQUIPS vice-president, has a strong science background. NTS President Joe Voelkering briefed Peelle and KQUIPS spokesperson Nancy Machen, steering them towards a district that had already rejected 'Pandas.' NTS has also offered the expertise of Directors Emeritus John Thomas (an attorney) and Ronnie Hastings (a physics Ph.D. and advanced math teacher), who are familiar with Creationist tactics and arguments.

NTS Technical Advisors Ray Eve and Frank Harrold, authors of 'The Creationist Movement in Modern America,' have also been consulted. Trustee Wilds' views on science education are presented, including his admission of not remembering much from his college biology classes, his support for individual teacher discretion in using 'Pandas,' and his belief that exposing students to various views is beneficial, regardless of their validity. He considers parental or scientific opposition secondary to a teacher's desire to use the text.

KQUIPS has launched a letter-writing campaign and plans to attend the February 7th board meeting. The article concludes by stating that Plano students deserve better than Creationist propaganda in science classes, which would put them at a deficit in college-level biology by presenting theology as science.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overarching theme of this issue is the promotion of critical thinking and skepticism against pseudoscience and fraudulent claims. The North Texas Skeptics, through its publication, actively debunks health scams and defends the integrity of science education against religious or pseudoscientific intrusions. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and the separation of church and state in public education.