Personality of Gregor Mendel: myths and realities. The 150th anniversary of Mendel’s disclosure of his results of «Experiments on plant hybrids»
Abstract
Aims. In order to know the personality of Gregor Mendel as one of the most outstanding figures of the XІXth century, whose efforts have laid the foundations of a new science of life – genetics, we had to find out the sources of his formation and development. Methods. We’ve used the biographic method of studying an individual way, life experience and the scientific publications so that to make our investigation. Results. The meaning of some objective and subjective factors which braked Mendelizm recognition, so as the removal of biological sciences from mathematics and imperfection of experiment methodology and excitement discussion developed in the biological science, concerning the book by Charles Darwin «On the origin of species by means of natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life» which had been published six years earlier; was find out owing to the retrospective analysis of Mendelism history as the basis of classical genetics. The efforts of an ancient authors so as the attempts of philosophers of the Age of the Enlightenment which tried to discuss the facilities before Gregor Mendel were observed. The reasons of Gregor Mendel and Mendelism mythologizing were discussed while the odious myths were rebutted. The individual aspects of Lysenkoism bad influence onto the biologiacal science in the USSR and Ukraine were revealed. Conclusions. An outstanding figure of Gregor Mendel have been obtained the greatest significance and attraction; he was really great scientist – example for imitation for the present and coming generation of scientists. His example became the more meaningful for the scientists of XІXth century who have been developing the genetics in the conditions of powerful synergistic researches so as the new ideas, theories and images.
Keywords: Charles Darwin, Green revolution, history of genetics, life sciences, Lysenkoism, Mendelism, synergistic research.
