CUBA, February 19, 2009. Cuban scientist Fidel Castro Diaz-Balart called naturalist Charles Darwin a pillar of modern science and praised the validity of his legacy, at the 18th International Book Fair underway in this city. A panel coordinated by Castro Diaz-Balart paid tribute to the British scientist on his bicentennial and to the 150th anniversary of his masterpiece The Origin of The Species. Diaz-Balart, who is the scientific advisor to Cuban Council of State recalled Darwin's contributions and his exceptional studies, which are so important today for the defense of Nature and the preservation of the species on earth. It is a fascinating and totally valid topic today, said Diaz-Balart to the panel which was made up of renowned scientists and scholars, such as Manuel Iturralde, Giraldo Alayn, Pedro Marino and Jose Altshuler. The specialists, from different professional perspectives, discussed Darwin's works and Cuba's contribution and its correct science-oriented policy. Charles Darwin was born on February 12th, 1809, coincidentally the same day former US President Abraham Lincoln was born, and in 1859 he published his masterpiece The Origin of The species, in which he stated that all living species have evolved in time, through a natural selection process. Darwin died on April 19th, 1882. (Cubaminrex- ACN) |