The global triumph of Mendelian genetics in the twentieth century was not a foregone conclusion, thanks to the existence of graft hybrids. These chimeral plants and animals are created by grafting tissue from one organism to another with the goal of passing the newly hybridized genetic material on to their offspring. But prevailing genetic theory insisted that heredity was confined to the sex cells and there was no inheritance of characteristics acquired during an organism’s lifetime. Under sustained attacks from geneticists, scientific belief in the existence of graft hybrids slowly began to decline. Yet ordinary horticulturalists and breeders continued to believe in the power of grafting. Matthew Holmes tells the story of these organisms—which include multicolored chickens and black nightshades that grew tomatoes—and their enduring influence on twentieth-century biology. Their creators sought a goal as ambitious as the wildest dreams of genetic engineering today: to smash the barriers between species and freely exchange genes between organisms. The Graft Hybrid presents a greater understanding of the controversial history of graft hybrids, offering a crucial intervention in the history of genetics and the future of biological science.

Researchers in the new field of literary-and-cultural studies look at social issues – especially issues of change and mobility – through the lens of literary thinking. The essays range from cultural memory and migration to electronic textuality and biopolitics.

An essential and comprehensive summary for all plant breeders.

The field of genetics is rapidly evolving and new medical breakthroughs are occurring as a result of advances in knowledge of genetics. This series continually publishes important reviews of the broadest interest to geneticists and their colleagues in affiliated disciplines. Articles covered in this volume include Biological Activity and Biotechnological Aspects of Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA); Changing Images of the Gene; Historical and Modern Genetics of Plant Graft Hybridization; Step into the Groove: Engineered Transcription Factors as Modulators of Gene Expression; Step Out of the Groove: Epigenetic Gene Control Systems and Engineered Transcription Factors.

Darwin's Pangenesis and its Rediscovery Part B explores Darwin's Pangenesis, an expanded cell theory and unified theory of heredity and variation from over 150 years ago that strengthened his theory of evolution and explained many phenomena of life. Now, new discoveries on circulating DNA, mobile RNAs, prions and extracellular vesicles are providing striking evidence for the chemical existence of Darwin's imaginary gemmules. In addition, new evidence for the inheritance of acquired characters, graft hybridization, and many other phenomena that Pangenesis supposedly explains are progressing, and are hence explored in this comprehensive volume. Specific chapters in this new volume include Darwin and Mendel: The Historical Connection, Darwin's Pangenesis and Graft Hybridization, Darwin's Pangenesis and Medical Genetics, Darwin's Pangenesis and Certain Anomalous Phenomena, and Natural Selection and Pangenesis: The Darwinian Synthesis. - Presents the only book on Darwin's Pangenesis, an expanded cell theory and a unified theory of heredity, variation, development and reproduction - Highlights Darwin's tremendous contributions to genetics, as well as Mendel's legacy and limitations - Includes sections on Darwin's Pangenesis in relation to graft hybridization, medical genetics, evolutionary theory, along with many other updates