To the editor:

After hearing Michael Behe, a patriarch of “intelligent design,” speak to the sparse audience at Kansas University, it was clear that not only is ID not supported by scientific data, it is also immoral. For it is one thing to explain to a person afflicted by a genetic defect such as Down syndrome, genetic blindness, birth defects and so forth, that there was a mutation in nature, but it is quite another to tell this individual that a grand “intelligent designer” purposefully made a “mistake” (Behe’s label) on them. What a morally and socially irresponsible belief system.

Of course, in practicality, this ID-ology in a designer and any belief in an omnipresent theistic or supernatural being is left limp when one gives thoughtful consideration to why one would praise or worship such a designer that would design, for example, excruciatingly painful conditions for individuals.

Mr. Behe acknowledged that a number of things exist in the universe that are consistent with an “UNintelligent design” and it was a slippery slope for him to know where the cut-off might come between “intelligent” and “unintelligent” design. Maybe his BEHEmaker has chosen him or coded his DNA to be able to decipher the answers about the development of all life matter, and this will not only provide relief from the anxiety of us not knowing everything but end the motivation for any further productive scientific inquiry.

Brenda Frei,

Lawrence