The Altenberg 16, New Theory of Evolution or International Science Scam?

Sixteen scientists from seven countries will hold a closed meeting in Austria, this July, to search for a new theory of evolution, based on the theory of form by self- organization, as opposed to Darwinian natural selection and genes, which they claim is now widely challenged. It will be published in 2009 by MIT Press. The meeting has been substantially criticized in various media.

A book sub-titled The Theory of Form by Self Organization was shown to all 16, presenting a solution to the question of evolution and embryo development. It contains the result of ten years of research by a privately funded NY biological laboratory, and has substantial professional endorsement.

Massimo Pigliucci, organizer of the Altenberg meeting agreed to review it, but after ten weeks refused comment. Stuart Newman agreed to comment. The rest of the 16 do not respond.

The A16, presented with a solution to the problem for which the meeting was organized, refuse to look at it, and do not say why. The book, titled The Engines of Evolution contradicts the premises of most of the papers to be presented by the sixteen participants.

Dr. Pigliucci gives regular public lectures in NY on ethics. April 5, he will speak on "Paradigm Change and Scientific Objectivity." at the NYC Skeptics.

“But that is what’s truly amazing about science: you can literally wake up one morning and find that someone has figured out the answer to a question that has vexed people for decades, sometimes centuries.”
M Pigliucci

The A16 are:

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