The latest twist in the creationism row follows comments from leading biologist the Rev Professor Michael Reiss, director of education at the Royal Society, who said that banning creationism from the classroom is likely to backfire with children who hold sincere beliefs.

Speaking at the British Association Festival of Science at the University of Liverpool, Prof Reiss sparked national debate when he said it was better for science teachers not to see creationism – the belief that humans did not evolve over millions of years, but God created the world in a much shorter time period – as a “misconception” but as a “world view”.

Around 10 per cent of British schoolchildren come from families with sincere creationist beliefs, said Prof Reiss – an ordained Church of England minister. Many of these children came from both Muslim and Christian backgrounds, he said.

At the same time as making clear creationism is not accepted by the scientific community, teachers should convey a message of respect that does not “denigrate or ridicule” the children’s beliefs, said Prof Reiss.

“What are we to do with those children? My experience after having tried to teach biology for 20 years is if one simply gives the impression that such children are wrong, then they are not likely to learn much about the science that one really wants them to learn,” he said.

“I think a better way forward is to say to them, ‘Look, I simply want to present you with the scientific understanding of the history of the universe and how animals and plants and other organisms evolved’.”

Discussing creationism in a respectful way made it less likely that children would ignore science or detach from it, he said.

Mr Storey, who triggered a debate recently when the News Letter reported his call for creationism to be taught in science classes, rejected the professor’s ideas.

“While there are some interesting aspects to Prof Reiss’ suggestion he appears to be suggesting that creationism be brought into the science class only in order to debunk it,” he said. “I do not believe that this is the way forward.”

Instead, the chair of the Assembly Education Committee called for more scientific data to be given to pupils which calls into question the theory of evolution.

Meanwhile, Mr Bowler, professor of history of science at Queen’s University, said that while the proposal was “dangerous” he could understand why Prof Reiss made it.

“It is a dangerous move but it may have some validity if it is done in such a way that creationism has to be examined as a science in a whole range of areas,” said the evolutionist.

See Alex Kane, page 22