Physiological Aspects of Genetics

Abstract

The biological sciences appear to be in the midst of a period of unprecedented progress. An important salient in the advance is the general recognition of the significance of genes in the economy of the organism. The change is largely one in point of view. Many biologists have for a long time appreciated the basic nature of the gene and its role in development and function, but these relatively enlightened individuals have for the most part belonged to a small group of specialists that has tended to remain in isolation. The restraining fences are now being broken down with gratifying rapidity. Biochemists have begun to think in terms of genes because it has been demonstrated to them not only that the chemical reactions which make up living systems are under the fairly immediate supervision of these units of inheritance, but also that genetics provides a powerful tool with which a great deal can be learned about metabolic systems. In bacteriology, too, one sees the effects of an altered point of view toward genetics. Only a few years ago a bacteriologist who so much as raised the question of the existence of genes in bacteria was regarded as a renegade and heretic by his more orthodox fellowmen. It has now become acceptable to speak of bacterial genes; in fact, a recognized field of bacterial genetics has grown up almost over night (l).