The Concept of the Gene in Development and Evolution
The Concept of the Gene in Development and Evolution
Historical and Epistemological Perspectives
Peter J. Beurton, Max-Planck-Institut für Wissenschaftsgeschichte, Berlin
Raphael Falk, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Hans-Jörg Rheinberger, Max-Planck-Institut für Wissenschaftsgeschichte, Berlin
Raphael Falk, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Hans-Jörg Rheinberger, Max-Planck-Institut für Wissenschaftsgeschichte, Berlin
February 2008
Paperback
9780521060240
Advances in molecular biological research in the latter half of the twentieth century have made the story of the gene vastly complicated: the more we learn about genes, the less sure we are of what a gene really is. Knowledge about the structure and functioning of genes abounds, but the gene has also become curiously intangible. This collection of essays renews the question: what are genes? Philosophers, historians and working scientists re-evaluate the question in this volume, treating the gene as a focal point of interdisciplinary and international research. It will be of interest to professionals and students in the philosophy and history of science, genetics and molecular biology.
- A truly interdisciplinary volume by an international group of philosophers, historians and working scientists that re-evaluates the question: what are genes?
- Brings together distinguished authors and essays that offer challenging perspectives on some of the most fundamental concepts of twentieth-century biology
- A lucid and coherent overview of the volume's themes is given in the last chapter
Product details
February 2008Paperback
9780521060240
404 pages
228 × 152 × 26 mm
0.636kg
11 b/w illus. 1 table
Available
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Part I. Genes and Traits:
- 1. The dissolution of protein coding genes in molecular biology Thomas Fogle
- 2. The differential concept of the gene: past and present Sara Schwartz
- 3. Gene concepts and genetic concepts Fred Gifford
- Part II. Extracting The Units Of Heredity:
- 4. From measurement to organization: a philosophical scheme for the history of the concept of heredity Jean Gayon
- 5. From gene to genetic hierarchy: Richard Goldschmidt and the problem of the gene Michael R. Dietrich
- 6. Seymour Benzer and the definition of the gene Frederic L. Holmes
- Part III. Genetic Programs and Developmental Genes:
- 7. Decoding the genetic program Evelyn Fox Keller
- 8. Genes classical and developmental: the different use of genes in evolutionary synthesis Scott F. Gilbert
- 9. The developmental gene concept: history and limits Michel Morange
- Part IV. Conceptual Perspectives:
- 10. Gene concepts: fragments from the perspective of molecular biology Hans-Jörg Rheinberger
- 11. Reproduction and the reduction of genetics James R. Griesemer
- 12. A unified view of the gene, or how to overcome reductionism Peter J. Beurton
- The gene - a concept in tension: A critical overview Raphael Falk.
