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Ending the Mendel-Fisher Controversy
In 1865, Gregor Mendel presented “Experiments in Plant-Hybridization,” the results of his eight-year study of the principles of inheritance through experimentation with pea plants. Overlooked in its day, Mendel's work would later become the foundation of modern genetics. Did his pioneering research follow the rigors of real scientific inquiry, or was Mendel's data too good to be true-the product of doctored statistics?
In Ending the Mendel-Fisher Controversy, leading experts present their conclusions on the legendary controversy surrounding the challenge to Mendel's findings by British statistician and biologist R. A. Fisher. In his 1936 paper “Has Mendel's Work Been Rediscovered?” Fisher suggested that Mendel's data could have been falsified in order to support his expectations. Fisher attributed the falsification to an unknown assistant of Mendel's. At the time, Fisher's criticism did not receive wide attention. Yet beginning in 1964, about the time of the centenary of Mendel's paper, scholars began to publicly discuss whether Fisher had successfully proven that Mendel's data was falsified. Since that time, numerous articles, letters, and comments have been published on the controversy.
This self-contained volume includes everything the reader will need to know about the an overview of the controversy; the original papers of Mendel and Fisher; four of the most important papers on the debate; and new updates, by the authors, of the latter four papers. Taken together, the authors contend, these voices argue for an end to the controversy-making this book the definitive last word on the subject.
In Ending the Mendel-Fisher Controversy, leading experts present their conclusions on the legendary controversy surrounding the challenge to Mendel's findings by British statistician and biologist R. A. Fisher. In his 1936 paper “Has Mendel's Work Been Rediscovered?” Fisher suggested that Mendel's data could have been falsified in order to support his expectations. Fisher attributed the falsification to an unknown assistant of Mendel's. At the time, Fisher's criticism did not receive wide attention. Yet beginning in 1964, about the time of the centenary of Mendel's paper, scholars began to publicly discuss whether Fisher had successfully proven that Mendel's data was falsified. Since that time, numerous articles, letters, and comments have been published on the controversy.
This self-contained volume includes everything the reader will need to know about the an overview of the controversy; the original papers of Mendel and Fisher; four of the most important papers on the debate; and new updates, by the authors, of the latter four papers. Taken together, the authors contend, these voices argue for an end to the controversy-making this book the definitive last word on the subject.
- GenresScience
330 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 30, 2022
Gregor Mendel's results have received quite a bit of scrutiny over the century since its rediscovery and there have been various opinions expressed regarding it. This edited volume gathers together some of the most significant publications that explore the history and re-analysis of Mendel's data. It begins with a chapter that gives an overview of the entire controversy. Gregor Mendel's paper is republished in full followed by several chapters that are republications with some updates added by the original authors.
I initially expected the book to focus on more technical and statistical issues and thus be a very boring read. However, I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of history and biology that was discussed, which plays into the controversy. Statistical issues are dealt with in detail, but each chapter adds a new perspective and argument. Readers will catch the essence of the controversy as they read through the chapters in order.
There are many debates in science and individuals usually have to scour the peer-reviewed literature across many years to find the give and take of the debate. The editors here have published a concise useful volume that allows the reader to explore the debate all at once with the major papers back-to-back. At its core, it demonstrates one of the way science progresses by critically evaluating and discussing results.
This book is not for the lay reader. It deals with many technical and statistical issues. Those interested in Gregor Mendel's research should read this. It also serves as a foil to counter the misconceptions about the controversy that have made their way into the media and online which are often misinformed.
I initially expected the book to focus on more technical and statistical issues and thus be a very boring read. However, I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of history and biology that was discussed, which plays into the controversy. Statistical issues are dealt with in detail, but each chapter adds a new perspective and argument. Readers will catch the essence of the controversy as they read through the chapters in order.
There are many debates in science and individuals usually have to scour the peer-reviewed literature across many years to find the give and take of the debate. The editors here have published a concise useful volume that allows the reader to explore the debate all at once with the major papers back-to-back. At its core, it demonstrates one of the way science progresses by critically evaluating and discussing results.
This book is not for the lay reader. It deals with many technical and statistical issues. Those interested in Gregor Mendel's research should read this. It also serves as a foil to counter the misconceptions about the controversy that have made their way into the media and online which are often misinformed.
September 1, 2017
Somewhat interesting.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews