Revisiting the history of classical genetics: from unit-characters to the gene
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2178-6224v16i2p209-236Keywords:
History of genetics, Factors, Characters, Gene, William Bateson, Thomas Hunt MorganAbstract
This paper refers to the period of so-called classical genetics. It aims to discuss the concepts and terminology applied to hereditary material between 1900 (“rediscovery” of Mendel’s work) and the publication of The theory of the gene (1926) by Thomas Hunt Morgan (1866-1945); it seeks to ascertain whether there were changes regarding these aspects during the relevant period. Our analysis focuses on the contributions of two groups, namely, the British one led by William Bateson (1861-1926) and the American one led by Thomas Hunt Morgan (1866-1945). The research showed that during the period, the terminology changed from, “factor”, “characters”, “unit-characters”, and gene, which was adopted departing 1926. Although Bateson and Morgan considered that the hereditary agents were in the germ cells, they did not know their composi-tion. This research showed that while establishing a new area of study, changes occur concerning the terminology and the connota-tion of the terms, until there is a consensus among the scientific community that adopt them.
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