[Ichneumon]

The evolutionary theory bandwagon has recently lost a wheel

LOL -- dream on.

and I wish I knew more of the background to the story as to what triggered the event.

I wish you knew more of the background, so you wouldn't make silly posts like this without knowing what you're talking about.

Everything seemed to be going fine; scientists were busy announcing the latest proof that Darwin was right

And still are. There is, for example, a *HUGE* flood of new evidence confirming evolution from the recent revolutions in DNA sequencing and analysis.

and suddenly some seem to be hedging their bets with this intelligent design business and are now shuffling nervously toward the exits.

"Suddenly" my a**, there have *always* been fringe scientists around to argue against *any* established theory, including evolution -- see my previous post for examples from the 1800's onward. Nothing new or "sudden" about it.

The only guess that I can make is that perhaps the more perceptive among them have learned through DNA studies and gene research that evolution, as preached by Darwin, cannot stand much longer against recent evidence.

Again, please learn something about the subject before you attempt to critique it. Contrary to your misinformed opinion, "DNA studies and gene research" is daily producing a flood of further confirmation of evolution.

Intelligent design is therefore a fallback position which doesn't completely let go of Darwin but doesn't go so far as to admit that Creationists might have been right all along.

I should hope not, since just about every time creationists make a pronouncement, it's severely flawed and grossly in error -- and depressingly often it's badly dishonest or flat-out plagiarized. See my profile page for a few dozen examples (out of thousands I've seen personally).

[finnigan2]

Sorry, but if there had been an internet back in the days when Darwin first published his Origin of Species, I'm sure I would have seen posts just like yours attacking his book and arguing that Creationism was unassailable.
In other words, your position is a conditioned response to, "the accepted wisdom of the time" and you are just as blind to new theories as Creationist's were in their day.
All I'm saying is that some subtle seismic event has recently occurred in this field that has caused many scientists to doubt their blind acceptance of Darwin's theories and this debate has begun to occur. Why?
You never answered this key question. Up to now, none of Darwin's proponents would tolerate the slightest deviation from the accepted orthodoxy. Why now all of a sudden?
Please try to keep an open mind on a theory which may turn out to be the biggest red herring since Piltown Man, leaving you as red faced as the herring.