Skip to main content
Log in

Review of genes in development: re-reading the molecular paradigm

  • Published:
Biology & Philosophy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Genes in Development is a collection of 13 stimulating essays on "post genomic" approaches to the concept of the gene. At the risk of caricaturing some complex balances, the contributors tend to be skeptical about genetic determinism, the central dogma of molecular biology, reductionism, genes as programs and the concept of the gene as a DNA sequence. They tend to like emergent properties, complexity theory, the parity thesis for developmental resources, developmental systems theory, and membranes. But within this broad weltanschauung the essays in Genes in Development vary widely in their interests and emphases––from the history of twentieth century genetics to the social and ethical issues raised by contemporary genetics––which makes for an attractive and valuable collection.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Gould SJ, Lewontin R (1979) The spandrels of San Marco and the Panglossian paradigm: a critique of the adaptationist programme’. Proc Soc B205:581–598

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shea N. Representation in the genome and in other inheritance systems. Biol Philos (forthcoming)

  • Wemelsfelder F, Hunter EA, Mendl MT, Lawrence AB (2000) The spontaneous qualitative assessment of behavioral expressions in pigs: first explorations of a novel methodology for integrative animal welfare measurement. Appl Anim Behav Sci 67:193–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brant Pridmore.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pridmore, B. Review of genes in development: re-reading the molecular paradigm. Biol Philos 23, 579–586 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10539-008-9115-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10539-008-9115-0

Keywords

Navigation