Review article
IS LAMARCKISM STILL ALIVE?
Ivan Kešina
; Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Split
Abstract
As natural sciences in general, and among them genetics and
molecular biology, have their history, so does the contemporary
theory of evolution too. It is based on the research results of the
mentioned sciences and has its history that is an integral part of
the history of biological sciences.
In this work the author analyses the evolutionary theory of
J. B. Lamarck – Lamarckism, as an important moment in the
history of evolutionary theories, referring to his fundamental work
Zoological Philosophy.
In the first part of the work the author presents the major
phases of Lamarick’s life, which in some way determined him to
become first a botanist, and then a zoologist, which in the end
generated his theory of evolution.
In the second part Lamarick’s theory is analysed, named
Lamarickism after him, on the basis of his work Zoological
Philosophy. Some trials of Lamarickism in the second part of 20th
century are presented.
In the third part a critical review on Lamarckism is set out,
as well as the explanation why Lamarck’s theory, in spite of some
of its positive points, could not meet with a greater success.
Namely, modern genetics and molecular biology have shown
that individually received or lost properties are not conveyed to
descendents. Hereditary traits are mainly recorded on the genetic
material of sexual cells. Molecular biology has proved that only the
genotype-changes that occur in the line of cells are hereditary, as
they produce mature gametes during the gametogenesis.
The trials that led to the resumed revival of Lamarckism
remained unsuccessful, because there were not enough arguments
for theoretical speculations that often arose.
Keywords
stability and mutability of species; Lamarckism; ontogenia; philogenia; molecular biology; Darwinism
Hrčak ID:
22397
URI
Publication date:
21.12.2007.
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