Sir, In the interesting series of letters regarding Darwinian Evolution, it was quite tiresome to read anti-Darwinians claim time and time again that Darwin will someday be "refuted", as Einstein is supposed to have "refuted" Newton. Dennis Wall repeats this canard (June 27th). One wonders if Mr Wall has ever seen a house constructed according to the Principles of Relativity, or travelled in an aeroplane whose structural design is governed by the laws of Quantum Physics. Newtonian Gravity and Newton's Laws of Dynamics work perfectly on the scale of our planet and solar system NASA still uses Newton's Laws in planning space flights.
Of course, Einstein did not "refute" Newton - he produced a theory of more general application that collapses to the Newtonian system on the appropriate scale. Similarly, I would take a bet (without any hope of ever collecting!) that Darwinian Evolution will be the cornerstone of biology for, centuries to come. Any "Einstein of Biology is likely to supplement Darwin, not supplant him. Yours, etc.,
Carragh Hill, Knocknacarra, Galway.