World backs evolution in science lessons: Poll

(Press TV) -- A worldwide survey suggests that about three quarters of people believe Charles Darwin's evolutionary theories should be taught in science lessons.

The British Council poll, which questioned 11,000 people over the age of 18 in 10 countries, found that 75 percent of the respondents believed children should be thought the theories of evolution in science lessons.

However, more than half of them said evolution should be thought alongside theories about intelligent design and creationism.

Creationism is the literal interpretation of scripture, while intelligent design is a more modern version that argues life is too complex to solely be explained by evolution.

The poll was part of the British Council's 'Darwin Now' program, which marks the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his work, On the Origin of Species.

The survey was conducted in Argentina, Britain, China, Egypt, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Spain and the USA. More than 7,000 of respondents said they knew of Darwin's work already.

About 20 percent of respondents worldwide said that only evolutionary theories should be taught while 17 percent believed either no theories about the origins of the species and the development of life on earth should be taught in science, or that children should learn about other theories but not evolution.