Treasure Your Exceptions: The Science and Life of William Bateson

William Bateson's work brought the work of Mendel to the attention of the English-speaking world and commanded the biological sciences in the decades after Darwin's death. He invented much of the basic terminology of modern genetics and introduced the mysterious term the residue. This book has come to represent a revised history of the biosciences, likely to be increasingly visited by scientists and those who wish to understand contemporary debates on racial, eugenic, and gender aspects of genetics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 688 pages
Publication date: 05 July 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

William Bateson, a renowned biologist, played a pivotal role in bringing the work of Gregor Mendel to the attention of the English-speaking world. Following the death of Charles Darwin in 1882, Bateson assumed a commanding position in the biological sciences, shaping the field for several decades. To fully comprehend the significance of these years, it is essential to understand the life and contributions of Bateson. By examining the life of a prominent figure who played a crucial role in the revolutionary shift in biology at the turn of the nineteenth century, the authors reconcile the genocentrism of George Williams and Richard Dawkins with the hierarchical thinking of Richard Goldschmidt and Stephen Jay Gould.

Aided by Rebecca Saunders, Bateson introduced numerous fundamental concepts and terminology in modern genetics. Notably, he coined the enigmatic term "the residue" when addressing Darwin's profound problem: the origin of species. While the first edition of this work (2008) associated residue with relative concentrations of bases in DNA, the second edition reveals that this reflects fundamental differences in short strings of bases. Consequently, the book has evolved to represent not only Bateson's scientific achievements and personal life but also a revised history of the biosciences, which is likely to be increasingly consulted by scientists and individuals seeking to comprehend contemporary debates on racial, eugenic, and gender aspects of genetics.

In essence, this book presents a captivating account of what we would now refer to as a colossal intelligence failure. Mendel handed us this invaluable knowledge in 1865, when Bateson was just four years old. It took him 35 years to connect the dots, with Bateson being a primary joiner. Many scientists of the 20th century dismissed the Mendel episode as a mere anomaly, considering it a mere blip in an otherwise orderly progression of scientific advancements. However, as the story of Bateson's life unfolds, a multitude of post-Mendelian Mendels emerge, highlighting the complexities and nuances of his contributions.

Peter Harper, in his review of Human Genetics (2009), aptly summarizes the significance of this book: "This book puts the record straight and on." By providing a comprehensive and accurate account of Bateson's life and work, it sheds light on the intricate connections between genetics, biology, and the broader social and cultural context of the time. This book is a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in understanding the evolution of genetics and its impact on our understanding of the natural world.

Weight: 1218g
Dimension: 166 x 243 x 47 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030920982
Edition number: 2nd ed. 2022