Access Research Network (ARN), based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, evolved from an earlier creationist organization, Students for Origins Research (SOR). SOR was founded in 1977 by a group of students at the University of California at Santa Barbara as an "alternative view" to both the Young Earth Creationist Institute for Creation Research and the scientific establishment. Its approach differed from the former (and similar creationist organizations) in that it did not require adherence to scriptural authority and a specific model as to the age of the Earth, potentially avoiding the chronic conflicts that this produced with the scientific community, and hoped to foster a relationship of dialogue rather than debate. In this it was an early advocate of Neo-Creationism.[1]
It acts as a de facto auxiliary website to the Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture (CSC) in promoting intelligent design (ID), and has become a comprehensive clearinghouse for ID resources, including news releases, publications, multimedia products and an elementary school science curriculum. Its stated mission is "providing accessible information on science, technology and society issues from an intelligent design perspective."[2] Its directors are Dennis Wagner (Executive Director) and CSC Fellows Mark Hartwig, Stephen C. Meyer and Paul Nelson.[3] Its 'Friends of ARN' is also dominated by CSC Fellows.[2]
The group's publication includes subjects such as genetic engineering, euthanasia, computer technology, environmental issues, creation/evolution, fetal tissue research, and AIDS.[3] It published a journal Origins & Design,[2] but this has been moribund since 2001.[4]