In The Origins of Genetics

Abstract

What are the respective roles of the mother and the father in generation and reproduction? Why the children sometimes look like their mother, sometimes their father and sometimes their both parents and even grandparents? This paper explores how the Ancient Greek tried to develop several theories to answer these fascinating questions, from the Greek atomist philosophers to the Hippocratic and Galenic physicians, through the Aristotelian.

Key words: History of Genetics - Heredity - Galen - Hippocrates - Aristoteles