Centro de Estudios e Investigaciones, National University of Quilmes, National Council of Scientific and Technical Investigations, Roque Sáenz Peña 352 (B1876BXD), Bernal, Argentine.
Hist Philos Life Sci. 2011;33(1):3-49.
The question posed by the title is usually answered by saying that the "synthesis" between the theory of evolution by natural selection and classical genetics, which took place in 1930s-40s, would have taken place much earlier if Darwin had been aware of Mendel and his work. What is more, it nearly happened: it would have been enough if Darwin had cut the pages of the offprint of Mendel's work that was in his library and read them! Or, if Mendel had come across Darwin in London or paid him a visit at his house in the outskirts! (on occasion of Mendel's trip in 1862 to that city). The aim of the present paper is to provide elements for quite a different answer, based on further historical evidence, especially on Mendel's works, some of which mention Darwins's studies.
标题所提出的问题通常的回答是,如果达尔文意识到孟德尔及其工作,那么自然选择进化理论与经典遗传学之间的“综合”早在 20 世纪 30 年代至 40 年代就会发生。更重要的是,这种综合几乎已经发生了:如果达尔文剪下他图书馆里孟德尔著作的复印件并阅读,就足够了!或者,如果孟德尔在伦敦遇到了达尔文,或者去他在郊区的家拜访了他!(在 1862 年孟德尔访问该市的情况下)。本文的目的是提供基于进一步历史证据的截然不同的答案的要素,特别是基于孟德尔的著作,其中一些著作提到了达尔文的研究。