长期以来, 达尔文的遗传学说——泛生论(Pangenesis)被认为是错误的。一是泛生论解释的一些现象(如嫁接杂交和获得性遗传)的真实性一直被怀疑, 二是高尔顿的兔子输血实验获得了负面结果, 三是达尔文假定的由细胞释放出来的并可以在体内循环的遗传分子“微芽”(Gemmules)缺乏实验证据。但近年科学文献中积累了许多支持获得性遗传和嫁接杂交的实验证据。循环核酸的发现则说明生物体内确实存在可以在细胞间移动的遗传物质。文章简要介绍达尔文的泛生论及其被湮灭的原因, 并结合自己的工作, 介绍支持泛生论的新证据及我们对泛生论的再认识。重新认识达尔文的泛生论, 对遗传学、医学和进化生物学等领域都有重要意义。
Pangenesis, an early theory of heredity, has been regarded as Darwin’s error for a long time. The main reason is that it explains the inheritance of acquired characteristics and graft hybridization, which were largely thought to be wrong. In addition, Galton’s blood transfusion experiments obtained negative results, and no evidence was found to support Darwin’s hypothetical gemmules—molecular carriers of hereditary characteristics, which are supposed to be thrown off by cells and are able to circulate throughout the body. Now, there are growing evidence for the inheritance of acquired characteristics and graft hybridization. The discovery of circulating nucleic acids indicates that there are indeed inherited molecules which can move between cells of the organism, providing evidence for the chemical existence of Darwin’s gemmules. This paper briefly introduces Darwin’s Pangenesis, the main reasons that it was ignored, the new evidence in support of it and our own rethinking about it. A new understanding of Pangenesis brings a broader perspective on genetics, evolution, and medicine.
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