To celebrate Charles Darwin's birthday on Wednesday 12th February 2003,the Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences (IBLS) at the University of Glasgow will be hosting a Darwin Day event for over a 100 schools pupils who will debate : Evolution - fact or fiction?; Who was Charles Darwin and what was so important about his ideas?

Opening with an introduction to Darwin's theory of evolution, the event will go on to discuss some of the livelier issues thrown up by evolutionary theory and its modern-day ramifications.

A talk will also be given to the School pupils on the Darwin Initiative, which draws upon British expertise in the field of biodiversity to assist countries rich in biodiversity but poor in resources, and the effort to conserve gene pools, in the face of a growing endangered species list.

The event will take place in the Graham Kerr Lecture Theatre from 7pm-9pm on Wednesday 12th February 2003

For further information, please contact Dr.Paul Skett on 0141-330 5926 / P.Skett@bio.gla.ac.uk or Glasgow University Press Office on 330 3535 / 3683.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

First published: 6 February 2003