"Some would say that science ... is under assault in this country," said Ellen Futter, president of the American museum of natural history - where the exhibit is running.
"The real culprit is the appallingly low state of science literacy and science education in this country, which stands in vivid contrast to the breathtaking scientific advances of the 21st century."
The exhibition, entitled "Darwin" is touted as the most in-depth exhibition ever mounted on the 19th century naturalist. It was three years in the making, as the debate over the teaching of evolution in US schools grew in volume and intensity.
"This is really for the schoolchildren of America. This is the evidence of evolution," said the exhibit's curator, Niles Eldridge.
A section of the presentation is devoted to the question, "What is a Theory?" and seeks to distinguish between scientific theories and non-scientific explanations about the origins and diversity of life.
Poll respondents believe God guides creation
In a recent Gallup poll, 53% of US adults agreed with the statement that God had created humans in their present form, exactly the way the Bible describes it.
Thirty-one percent stood by the "intelligent design" stance - that humans evolved over millions of years from other forms of life and God guided the process.
Only 12% of respondents said humans have evolved from other forms of life and that "God has no part" in it.
Last week, the US state of Kansas adopted new science teaching guidelines, under which the idea that life could have had divine origins must be presented to students alongside evolutionary theories.
Michael Novacek, senior vice-president of the American museum of natural history, said that the premise of presenting students with faith-based alternatives to Darwin's theory was flawed.
"Notions of creationism, including intelligent design, do not offer scientific challenges to the theory of evolution, because they do not offer a scientific alternative," said Novacek.
"They deal with sources and explanations ... that as scientists we cannot test or observe."
While partly addressing the current controversy, most of the exhibition is dedicated to an overview of Darwin's life and an explanation of the theory that became the foundation of modern biology.
- AFP
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