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The Man Who Invented the Chromosome: A Life of Cyril Darlington

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This biography of Cyril Darlington is of a renowned scientist who enjoyed a long career, first as a microscopist exploring the workings of the chromosome, then as a leader in the fight against Lamarckism, Lysenkoism, Marxism, and suppositions on the equality of men. His early career was built primarily on a book, "Recent Advances in Cytology" which brought together a coherent picture of the chromosomes and their role in evolution. Perhaps a key insight, new with him, was that though the chromosomes contained the hereditary information, they could be understood better by seeing how evolution affected them as well.

Darlington was a confirmed materialist, hard headed scientist, but was positively attracted by controversy, and a rather intolerant, arrogant character to boot. He had many enemies, but was a forceful and prominent public voice, who relished his role. This combination makes for a lively biography, and deserves serious consideration by anyone interested in the history of the development of the "modern synthesis" of evolutionary thought. He was a driving force for much of it.

Darlington was during the 1940's to the 1980's a sort of early version of Richard Dawkins, and was opposed for many years by JBS Haldane, who was a sort of early version of Stephen Jay Gould. Many of the controversies, being rooted in deep-seated views of human nature, have hardly changed. There is the Marxist version of a faith in the malleability of man by wishful thinking, opposed by hard lessons drawn from science, evolutionary theory and the observation that man is a creature acting in accordance with hereditary behaviors which have developed differently in different races. Not for Darlington the notion that race is a "social construct" or that IQ is a "reified" useless hypotheis, the same for all races. He was a sociobiologist well before the term was invented.

The first part of the book that deals with Darlingtons cytogenetics is not the easiest read, dealing as it does with a pretty arcane subject in perhaps a little too much detail, even for the informed reader. The old controversies about such things as parsynapsis vs telosynapsis, are enfolded in a vocabulary that will be intimidating to many readers. I wish, though, that he had covered in a little more detail the methods of cytogenetics, the stains used, the sample preparation methods, and so on. Just how hard was it to prepare an informative experiment? A little more about the influence of Darlington's cytological insights on the conventional modern practice of the art would have been welcome too.

No matter--skip on to the major part of the book where Harman covers the course of the debate over the nature of man and the insights brought by an evolutionary perspective. The meat of the book is here.

In his later years, as for all scientists who live a long time, the main developments in his science began to become too much for him--molecular biology, psychometrics, and a bevy of new techniques were to add much that he could appreciate, but could contribute very little. Exploring the big picture, speculating, theorizing and publicizing became his game, and we are better off for it.

Harman has done a splendid job in this biography--he writes clearly, and has a very good understanding of his subject. It is based on exhaustive research and interviews and will be the definitive work for a long time. The many pictures bring the story to life, and make for a lively read. I enjoyed the book a lot and even re-read much of it for a second time!

Harman has produced one of the deepest books about biology and evolution I have encountered in over 30 years of more-than- amateur interest in the field. He has been able to pinpoint the true paradoxes of life: foresight versus randomness, the individual versus the group, the past as against the future. And he has done so with a wonderful pen: understated, deeply intelligent, deeply modest. I believe that while lesser intellects may not comprend its true value, really smart people will recognize it as nothing short of a brilliant book.

About forty years ago, my scientific journey as a geneticist started with the study of chromosomes. My very first adviser had studied under Dr. Gates - a colleague of C. D. Darlington (CDD). My adviser always admired CDD, his incisive mind and often mentioned CDD's eccentricity. For some odd reason, I lost interest in cytogenetics and became more interested in population genetics. Now, out of curiosity I picked up this book and read it with great pleasure. It was truly a page-turner. The pettiness and politics among the original pathfinders of genetics (which has since become central to biology), is sprinkled everywhere. Further, his attempts to bring cytology, genetics and evolution together was appreciated by only a few. Unfortunately, it has remained unchanged even to this day! I congratulate the author on his tremendous success. I rediscovered the creative genius of CDD through this book. Additionally, it is great to know that the term "telomere" was coined by CDD (it was wrongly attributed to Muller and McClintock), for which Blackburn and her team won the last year's Nobel. Similarly, the present interest in structural variation could be traced directly to CDD. I was also shocked to find that he thought so clearly about "levels of selection," for which Lewontin gets the credit. In short, it is a sin that genetics and evolution community in general has relegated him to relative obscurity (only accuses him only as a eugenist). The biographer has done not only a justice to CDD's genius, but also rendered a great service to the science of genetics and evolutionary biology.

This personal biography is really a biography of biology in the 20th century. any one interested in how scientific and cultural/political ideas interact, and in how scientists have attempted to understand large issues like human culture and history with the help of small evidences, like genes and molecules, will have a ball reading this lovely, well written book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging and fascinating tale of one of the most controversial and thought provoking scientists of the twentieth century. I recommend it highly to anyone interested in science, biography, and history.

I am not a scientist, but very much enjoy biographies. I read this book on a friend's recommendation, and literally could not stop turning the pages. Darlington, the man and the scientist, is truly brought to life on these pages.

I found the story behind Harman's `unlikely scientific hero' consistently engaging. The author does a superb job of seamlessly weaving together the many colorful strands of the social and scientific fabric that served as backdrop to Darlington's life. With Harman as a guide, the reader gains a unique first-hand appreciation for Darlington's days, reliving them as heady times for genetics in particular and for society as a whole.

A must-read for all those in the know. Amongst the best biographies I have come across.

This is a thrilling book! Wow! Darlington had been completely forgotten, but resurfaces here as one of the most fascinating and controversial minds of the twentieth century. Any one who is interested in how scientific and social and political ideas impact upon one another must read this book. Any one who loves a great narrative shouldn't miss it, either.

I have seldom read such an absorbing and fascinating biography. This book stands not only as a literary masterpice, but also as a true contribution to twentieth century history, not only of science, but of science and society. Buy it, and read it. Youe enjoyment is garanteed.