"the noblest tradition of science"

Is to admit when you're wrong.

52 years ago, a scientist put out a paper. Then he realised it was wrong, and that people were using these incorrect assumptions as "proofs" for their own beliefs.

So what does a scientist do in these situations? Simple. Declare the paper was wrong, and retract it.

So, good on you Dr Homer Jacobson.

And bad news for the creationists.