Mary Leakey, Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey and Birute Galdikas

As an undergraduate majoring in zoology in the late 60s I read the book African Genesis by Robert Ardrey.  It was one of the books that changed my life.  I can’t provide you with specifics but I remember nearly 50 years later that the book had a great impact on me.  

The book introduced me to Dr. Louis B. Leakey and his wife Mary Leakey.  They spent most of their lives in Africa, primarily in the Olduvai Gorge.  Mary, a paleontologist, made a number of amazing discoveries of the earliest humans.  

Dr. Leakey provided me with women role models in zoology, biology and ethology.  There were very few women in those fields, either working or studying, in the late 60s.  The biological sciences were the bastion of men, from history to the present.  Dr. Leakey was responsible for sending Jane Goodall to Gombe to study chimpanzees, Dian Fossey to study gorillas and Birute Galdikas to study orangutans. 

I clearly remember the outrage voiced by my major professors that a young woman, without a degree in any of the biological sciences, had been sent to study chimpanzees.  They never seemed to miss a chance to deride Jane Goodall.  The fact that Ms. Goodall named the subjects of her field research was considered outrageous, unscientific and received the majority of their scorn.  Science was Objective, science did not bring emotions into research.  No serious scientist could discover valid information if they did not stand apart from the non-human animals they were seeking to study.  Any conclusions drawn would be suspect, at least in their eyes.  

I, on the other hand, rejected that conclusion.  That, in and of itself, caused me to question many of the methods of scientific study where non-human animals were concerned.  It actually caused me to become a bit of a thorn in their sides.  I actually walked out of one of my Animal Physiology classes where we were expected to chloroform white rats and then decapitate them.  I had always had a problem with killing frogs in biology, but the method employed was more humane than decapitation of a mildly anesthetized animal.  

As everyone knows by now, my professors were wrong.  Not only has Jane Goodall become one of the most respected chimpanzee experts on the planet, but the work done by both Dian Fossey and Birute Galdikas has advanced our knowledge of gorillas and orangutans, and changed the public view of primates in particular for the better.  These women, as well as those who followed their examples, have changed the methods by which many more researchers are conducting their studies of many species of non-human animals. 

To learn more about Mary Leakey, visit this link.

Visit The Jane Goodall Institute to find out more about Ms. Goodall and her work.

Although Dian Fossey was murdered by gorilla poachers in 1985, her work has continued.  Ms. Fossey founded The Gorilla Fund before her death in 1978.

Orangutan habitat is disappearing, primarily due to the palm oil industry.  Palm oil is used in many products and pre-packaged foods. Ms. Galdikas continues to work diligently to protect orangutans who, without her dedication, would likely be extinct in the wild by now.  Orangutan International Fund is the non-profit she has established to educate and ensure orangutans continued protection.

 

Religion vs Science, or Faith vs Reality

No matter where you get your news these days, radio, television, newspapers or online, at least one of the headlines has something to do with religion.  I am an agnostic, but I was raised in a non-dogmatic, Christian home.  My kindergarten was a Bible school, I attended Sunday School from 1^st grade through my confirmation, when I then attended church.  I took lessons (Bible study classes) every Saturday for 2 years in preparation for confirmation in our church.  

Growing up, I questioned much of what I read in and was taught about the Bible.  One thing, however, stood out for me.  I don’t remember what grade I was in, but we were studying Greek mythology.  I was fascinated by it and the stories.  I remember some kids making fun of it, which bothered me.  I didn’t like the fact that they were ridiculing early Greek religion.  How would they feel if someone ridiculed their religion?  These weren’t Grimm’s Fairy Tales, they were the religious beliefs of a highly educated culture.  It was how the Greeks explained the unknown, which IMHO is just what religion is.  Scientific knowledge at the time of the Greeks’ golden age was limited.  

Another curriculum item that fascinated me was Science.  Learning about dinosaurs, the planets, the universe, atoms, electrons, neutrons – what’s not to love?  Explaining and understanding the world around me, science unlocked those doors and revealed the secrets to so many mysteries.  My love of science continues to this day because it better fulfills my need for knowledge and an understanding of the realities of life.  I learned early on that death is inevitable and often comes unexpectedly, so LIFE became much more precious.  

Needless to say the news about climate change denial, anti-contraception protests and laws, creationism vs. evolution, just to name a few is disconcerting, at the very least, and maddening at the worst.  Instead of adequately funding our public school system we spend billions on military spending and war.  Lawmakers and local school boards are trying to turn our public education over to for profit businesses using vouchers and by funding charter schools.  These groups are replacing text books teaching FACTS with text books filled with misrepresentations and outright lies.  High quality education is the bedrock of any country, civilization.  It reminds me of the Dark Ages when most of the world's population didn't go to school and couldn't read or write.  How better to dominate and exert control over the populace? 

I have no problem with the teaching of religious studies classes in schools; classes which teach students about all of the world’s religions.  However, religious beliefs don’t belong in science classes.  Most, if not all, religions have a creation story.  Yes, religion of all cultures strives to explain the world to its followers, but it is based on faith – NOT ON FACT AND NOT ON REALITY.  Since religious beliefs cannot be proven, nor can they be replicated (anyone bumped into a talking, burning bush lately or has James Dobson descended from the mountain top with a new set of commandments?).  Science is based on experiments, where results can be replicated.  Science is based on FACT.  Science is based on REALITY.  Sadly,  less than half of all Americans BELIEVE in evolution.  How can they if they aren’t taught about evolution and Darwin’s trip around the world where he saw the different sub-species of finches on each of the Galapagos Islands?  How can they if they don’t learn about carbon dating, which allows scientists to determine just how old the dinosaur bones they discover are?  Science decodes the mystery and magic that exists in the world around us.  It fosters not only a better understanding of the natural world, it fosters respect for the wonders of the natural world and why we must learn to live in harmony with all life on this planet.  Personally, I would rather protect the only home we and future generations have than bet there is a happily ever after in some mythical Heaven or Nirvana and that I will be granted permission to enter.  

For a much more eloquent and “enlightening” take on this subject, check out this piece from Common Dreams (http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/06/18-2).  John Atcheson sees a return of the Dark Ages in this article.  And yes, I have feared a return to the Dark Ages for some time.  I’ve told many friends that I have long anticipated being burned at the stake.  Most of those persecuted as witches during the Inquisition and Dark Ages were older women who had cats and dared to be a bit more than contrary.  If that doesn’t describe me, I don’t know what does. 

And you can find more on The Burning Times here: http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_burn2.htm

 

There is a reason that America's constitution clearly outlines a separation of Church and State, and does not permit the government to "endorse" or favor a national religion. Feel free to practice your personal religion and let me have my freedom from religion.  How about the believers practicing what they preach?  DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU.