Spontaneous Generation

[browngirl]

Is it just me, or does the current Wikipedia explanation of how Pond Flukes appear in stagnant ponds rely on the theory of spontaneous generation, which was discredited, oh, well over a hundred years ago? I generally adore Wikipedia, so this kind of inaccuracy distresses me, as it's precisely the kind of thing that people point to when they say that Wikipedia shouldn't be trusted and/or shouldn't exist, and it's the kind of thing that gives those critics a point.

(I am also distressed because I'm tempted, again, to join Wikipedia as an editor, and I think this would not be a good plan for me, finding yet another online community to obsess over and where I can get into arguments. I'm trying to resist! I am!)

So, what, aside of a lengthy research project to verify the existence of and detail the life cycle of pond flukes, do I do about this article?

Comments

In case one was wondering

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

What the article used to say:

Pond flukes are the result of extremely dirty still water which has no oxygen flow going into it whatsoever, and bacteria begin to multiply and evolve rapidly. Eventually, they become pond flukes, first starting off as an infant stage. Tiny, and grey. In about a week, if the conditions are right. They grow longer, thick and white. If Pond flukes occur, any other creatures in the body of water, are likely to die off with disease.