Two other scientists, both at the relevant time professors of biology, also drew attention to the untestable nature of the evolution hypothesis.4
Neither Popper nor the scientists mentioned above could be accused of any bias in favor of creationism in making the above admissions. But perhaps even more to the point, S. J. Gould, arguably the world's best known evolution polemicist, has also admitted that Darwinism and other historical theories cannot be tested experimentally.
Gould, who teaches biology, geology and the history of science at Harvard University in the United States, stated in 1986 that the theory of evolution relies heavily upon inference and "not on steel balls rolling down inclined planes in a laboratory," but he criticized creation scientists who claimed it was not part of (natural) science.5
In 1992 he returned to this theme when he wrote a hypercritical review of Professor Phillip E. Johnson's book, Darwin on Trial.6 In that review Gould claimed that Johnson held "a narrow and blinkered view of science" because he had claimed that Darwin had "started his theory on the wrong road" by never proposing an experimental test for it.
However, in stating that, ". . . Darwin's method is not generally experimental, for singular and complex events are not so explained by any historical science," Gould tacitly admitted that Darwinism is outside of the Baconian concept of natural science. Notwithstanding this, Gould claimed that Darwinism is "science" because of the methodology Darwin used in arriving at his conclusions.7
This methodology-the drawing of inferences or inductions from today's (circumstantial) evidence-can also be applied in a search for intelligent design in the universe. But Gould would be the last to agree that the theory of supernatural creation, supported by evidence of intelligent design comes within the extended meaning of "science" he so readily grants to Darwinism.
4 P. Erlich and L. C. Birch, Nature, 22 April, 1967 at p. 352. Also the Revised Quote Book (Creation Science Foundation, Brisbane, Australia) recorded the following from the Melbourne University Assembly Week address by a Professor Whitton: "Biologists are simply naïve when they talk about experiments to test the theory of evolution. It is not testable."
5 Gould is thus reported by Christopher Joyce in a newspaper article "Genesis Goes on Trial." Republished by the Weekend-Australian 27/28 December, 1986.
6 (1990) Regnery Gateway, Washington, D.C. Also published by Intervarsity Press, Illinois, in 1991 plus a second edition published in 1993.
7 S. J. Gould, "Impeaching a Self Appointed Judge." Scientific American, July, 1992 at p. 194.