txfireman asked
'In early March 2006 the Texas Academy of Science(TAS) honored University of Texas biologist Eric Pianka as its 2006 Distinguished Texas Scientist during its 109th Annual Meeting at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. In a March 3, 2006 lecture at this 109th Annual Meeting, Pianka suggested that the human population is likely to crash, and that a mutant strain of Ebola (which has up to a 90% mortality rate) is a possible culprit[1]. In response to Pianka's speech, Forrest Mims states that Pianka had 'endorsed the elimination of 90 percent of the human population' through a disease such as an airborne strain of the Ebola virus.[2] This report was reported in. [3] and also widely propagated through blogs including William Dembski's 'Uncommon Descent' and 'Telic Thoughts' (another pro-intelligent design blog which has since recanted its original report[4]), Drudge Report and the Discovery Institute[5]�the hub of the intelligent design movement and at which both Mims and Dembski sit as fellows.[6] Dembski has also said that he has reported Pianka to the United States Department of Homeland Security.[7] The March 3, 2006 talk given by Pianka is one that he calls his 'doomsday talk'. A recording was made of Pianka's delivery of his 'doomsday talk' at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, and a transcript of this talk later was made public.[8] Both Mim's original report[9] and the TAS response statement of April 4, 2006[10] were based upon the March 3, 2006 instance of Pianka's 'doomsday talk'. The TAS statement said that 'many of Dr. Pianka's statements have been severely misconstrued and sensationalized'. Although no public record exists of Pianka's full March 3, 2006 lecture, there is nothing to suggest that the St. Edwards talk is different.'
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