Darwin-L Message Log 6:52 (February 1994)

Academic Discussion on the History and Theory of the Historical Sciences

This is one message from the Archives of Darwin-L (1993–1997), a professional discussion group on the history and theory of the historical sciences.

Note: Additional publications on evolution and the historical sciences by the Darwin-L list owner are available on SSRN.

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<6:52>From Robert.Richardson@UC.Edu  Thu Feb 10 15:27:50 1994

Date: Thu, 10 Feb 1994 16:20:50 -0500 (EST)
From: "Bob Richardson, University of Cincinnati" <Robert.Richardson@UC.Edu>
Subject: extragenetic inheritance
To: darwin-l@ukanaix.cc.ukans.edu

Ron (the All American Amundson) asks:

>But, by the way, in what way does extragenetic inheritance imply
>inheritance of acquired characteristics?

The association is historical: Weissman's defense of the integrity of the germ
plasm was an attack on the inheritance of acquired characteristics.  The
emphasis on nuclear inheritance characteristic of Morgan et. al. was taken, by
some at least, as an endorsement of Weissmanism.  Correspondingly, cytoplasmic
factors were emphasized by neoLamarckians in Germany and (yes, you all American
fans) in the USSR.  Guilt by association it may be, but association it is
nonetheless.

A good source for at least some of this is Bernhard Rensch's "Historical
Development of the Present Synthetic Neo-Darwinism in Germany," in Mayr and
Provine's *The Evolutionary Synthesis*.

Robert C. Richardson
Richards@ucbeh.bitnet
Richards@ucbeh.san.uc.edu

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