Scientists and educators in Texas celebrated last week as the State Board of Education elected to at last get rid of science standards language that has allowed the scientific theory (i.e. fact) of evolution to be attacked for 20 years by fundamentalist teachers. As ABC news reports, the board was finely split. Pro-science celebrations were short-lived, however, as the board also added language requiring students to learn arguments both for and against universal common descent–the idea that all organisms have a common ancestor.”There are no good arguments against universal common descent, which has been accepted by biologists for over 130 years,” geologist Steven Schafersman, president of the campaign group Texas Citizens for Science, told ABC News, “The board’s efforts make the state’s science standards an object of ridicule.” The board has to agree to the final text of the draft standard at a meeting in late March. Pro-science forces hope the remaining anti-evolution language will be removed then.