Problems of Genetics (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Bateson, William

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1330301595 ISBN 13: 9781330301593

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2017

Synopsis

Excerpt from Problems of Genetics

This book gives the substance of a series of lectures delivered in Yale University, where I had the privilege of holding the office of Silliman Lecturer in 1907.

The delay in publication was brought about by a variety of causes.

Inasmuch as the purpose of the lectures is to discuss some of the wider problems of biology in the light of knowledge acquired by Mendelian methods of analysis, it was essential that a fairly full account of the conclusions established by them should first be undertaken and I therefore postponed the present work till a book on Mendel's Principles had been completed.

On attempting a more general discussion Of the bearing Of the phenomena on the theory of Evolution, I found myself continually hindered by the consciousness that such treatment is premature, and by doubt whether it were not better that the debate should for the present stand indefinitely adjourned. That species have come into existence by an evolutionary process no one seriously doubts; but few who are familiar with the facts that genetic research has revealed are now inclined to speculate as to the manner by which the process has been ac complished. Our knowledge of the nature and properties Of living things is far too meagre to justify any such attempts. Suggestions of course can be made: though, however, these ideas may have a stimulating value in the lecture room, they look weak and thin when set out in print. The work which may one day give them a body has yet to be done.

The development of negations is always an ungrateful task apt to be postponed for the positive business of experiment. Such work is happily now going forward in most of the centers of scientific life. Of many of the subjects here treated we already know more than we did in 1907. The delay in production has made it possible to incorporate these new contributions.

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About this title

Book Description

These lectures, published at Yale in 1913, illuminate the formation of theories that are central to the modern study of genetics, heredity and evolution. In them, William Bateson (1861-1926) chronicles the conflicting and developing theories on taxonomy, speciation, variation and hybridisation, using a wide taxonomic range of detailed examples.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1330301595
• ISBN 13: 9781330301593
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 290