Editor's pick of the month:

March, 2009

February saw the 200th birth anniversary celebrations of Charles Darwin (Born on 12th February 1809); and this year will be the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species (24 November 1859).  As much as it was a path-breaking study, controversies surrounding his theories are alive even today.  The most vociferous controversies back at that time when it was published, were mostly on religious basis opposing this theory that Man descended from apes; and today, after 150 years, these are being put to rest slowly by the church giving in with The Vatican admitting that Charles Darwin was on the right track and the  Church of England publishing a sort of apology. On the other hand, oppositions to his theory, especially on the aspects of ‘variation and natural selection’ still abound; some are proved to be wrong and some are valid.  Not withstanding the controversies, Darwin’s theory of evolution broke all rules at that time; upheld a true scientist’s quest for knowledge; and it is this ‘quest for knowledge’ that we salute!  Read the complete works of Charles Darwin here http://darwin-online.org.uk/manuscripts.html And a special feature run by Nature on this birth centenary here http://www.nature.com/news/specials/darwin/index.html   To read all articles previously featured under 'Editor's pick of the month' please click here  Editor's pick archives