Francisco Ayala

Ayala in 2011

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Francisco José Ayala Pereda (1934–2023) was a Spanish-American evolutionary biologist at the University of California, Irvine. Ayala was also an ordained Dominican priest, briefly serving as such in 1960. He believed that evolution and creationism can coexist. Ayala stated that there is a better approach to getting creationists on board with evolution than those employed by the likes of Richard Dawkins, who tends towards ridiculing the faithful. He felt that simply "engaging religious people in dialogue" will assist in allowing the coexistence of religion and science.

Ayala won the 2010 Templeton Prize.^[1]

Career and views

Ayala was a renowned evolutionary biologist and geneticist known for his contributions to population genetics and evolutionary biology. His work provided significant insights into the origin of species, genetic diversity, and population dynamics. His research extended to public health, where he studied parasitic protozoans, such as those causing Chagas disease. His findings on their reproduction and population structure had critical implications for disease prevention and treatment. He was awarded the National Medal of Science in 2001.^[2]

Ayala served on the advisory board of the Campaign to Defend the Constitution, which lobbied in support of the separation of church and state and attempted to counter the influence of the religious right. The organisation lasted from 2005 until its funding ran out in 2007.

His views on religion appeared somewhat ambiguous and occasionally contradictory, as he asserted that "science is compatible with religious faith in a personal, omnipotent, and benevolent God."^[3] However, although being an ordained Dominican priest, he generally avoided discussing his religious views saying that he didn't want to be "tagged by one side or the other." He criticized intelligent design theories, arguing that they not only constitute pseudoscience but are also theologically misconceived. He further suggested that the theory of evolution resolves the problem of evil, functioning as a form of theodicy.

The owner of more than 2,000 acres of Californian vineyards, Ayala announced in 2011 that he was donating $10 million to the University of California, Irvine's School of Biological Sciences over a ten year period.^[4]

Sexual harassment allegations

Ayala faced allegations of sexual harassment from four women at the University of California, Irvine. Following a university investigation in 2018, the claims were substantiated, leading to Ayala's resignation. The investigation revealed a pattern of inappropriate behavior, including unwanted comments and physical gestures. The four women—faculty members, an assistant dean, and a graduate student—came forward with allegations, describing a workplace environment where Ayala's actions were widely known but had remained unaddressed over a period of years.^[5]

The university removed his name from buildings, scholarships, and programs he had funded. The National Academy of Sciences later expelled him in 2021 for violating its code of conduct.^[6]

Quotes

• "If God explicitly designed the human reproductive system, is God the biggest abortionist of them all?" - in reference to the fact that 1 of 5 pregnancies end in spontaneous miscarriage.^[7]

• "Natural selection can explain the ruthlessness of nature, and remove the 'evil' from the living world." - answering the Christian paradox of "How can an all-knowing, loving God allow evil and suffering?"^[7]

References