AceShowbiz -

Discovery Channel has responded to fan petition to bring back Kari Byron on "MythBusters". More than 33,000 people signed the petition which basically claims that the network doesn't support women in science, and the cabler has now given a response to the request.

"We are all big fans of Kari as well as Tory and Grant and are looking for other projects where we can work with them," Discovery says in a statement. While the network doesn't give a direct answer, it's clear that they won't re-hire Kari.

The petition which was launched after it was announced in August that Kari, Tory Belleci and Grant Imahara exited the show states, "This is a huge step backward for Discovery -- as the main female Mythbuster, Kari inspired a generation of girls and showed them that they, too, had a place in the traditionally male-dominated world of science."

The petition author Julie Rodriguez adds, "It's also disappointing to see Grant, the sole person of color on the show, dropped as well. We already know that women and minorities often feel unwelcome in the sciences and discouraged from pursuing STEM studies and careers. Why is Discovery reinforcing these damaging stereotypes?"

In a tweet to address her departure last month, Kari said the network made the decision to axe her and the other two longtime stars because "the show is taking a new direction."