Regarding the Argument of Intelligent Design

People have been getting themselves all in a twist over the argument that Intelligent Design is a valid scientific theory. And that Intelligent Design is by implication, a code phrase for "God made it all happen"

It is obvious to those with a scientific background that the definition of the word theory has been grossly twisted and misrepresented to be something less potent and meaningful than it really is.

For example, the theory of gravity, the mathematics of which allows you to calculate the orbit to land a man on the moon, or to aim an artillery shell that lands with precision several miles away, making lunchtime an unpleasant mess for those on the receiving end.

Now that's a theory. It let's you do something.

In any case, it is possible to solve the mess in a way that gives the proponents of Intelligent Design exactly what they say they are looking for, sort of, and at the same time takes away the pudding.

First we give them exactly what they want. But we add things to it.

In the classroom, we have these kind of discussions:

What would be evidence of Intelligent Design? What would be evidence of intelligent Design, such as genetic manipulation by a scientist, vs. the normal structure of DNA? and what is the normal structure of DNA anyhow? Of Genes? Could you have copyright markers inside DNA?

Actual evidence. And we tie this into the ethics of Biology.

(Note that a recent news item reports that 20% of the Human Genome has already been patented, even through they actually did not design the genes, but have only isolated a possible speculated use)

Also, you can mention all the possible angles on who could be the speculated authors in the theory of Intelligent Design.

Do not forget to mention the Flying Saucer people, who are rumored to have manipulated the genetic structure of mankind for their own ends. What would be evidence of all of this at the genetic level ?

As a side note, there are a number of images of something resembling a double helix seen in ancient sumerian art. This would twist the nose of some folks, although, for the purposes of classroom discussion, you can discuss the coincidence as a coincidence, without being heavy handed on the subject.

Somehow, I think that excellent mileage could be gained by taking the idea of Intelligent Design seriously, and exploring ALL of the possibilities that are tied to the subject.