Related Experiment Videos
The problem of the gene
1Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA. Michael.Dietrich@Dartmouth.edu
Summary
The classical gene concept has fragmented into multiple meanings. While a unified gene concept is unlikely, specific disciplinary concepts are valuable, but political factors influence their use.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Philosophy of Science
Background:
- The early 20th century saw genetics unified by a classical gene concept encompassing structure, function, mutation, and recombination.
- Since the 1940s, the term 'gene' has fragmented, referring to different concepts in various contexts (e.g., disease-related, regulatory, structural, frequency).
Observation:
- The term 'gene' is now used ambiguously across different scientific disciplines.
- This ambiguity raises questions about the possibility and desirability of a comprehensive, unifying gene concept.
Findings:
- Fully comprehensive gene concepts appear untenable in contemporary science.
- However, unifying, yet non-comprehensive, gene concepts can hold significant epistemic value within specific disciplinary domains.
- The persistence of the 'problem of the gene' is driven more by its political implications than its epistemic utility.
Implications:
- The desirability and adoption of new gene concepts are influenced by their political ramifications and the historical context of their contestation.
- Understanding the political dimensions is crucial for navigating the evolving landscape of gene concepts in genetics and related fields.