Boveri and the early days of genetics

Abstract

PROF. R. C. PUNNETT'S informative and charming account of "Early Days of Genetics"1 ends with a statement which for the sake of historical justice requires comment. In answer to the question why the discoverers of linkage "managed to miss the tie-up of linkage phenomena with the chromosomes", Punnett says: "The answer is Boveri. We were deeply impressed by his paper 'On the individuality of the chromosomes' and felt that any tampering with them by way of breakage and recombination was forbidden." © 1950 Nature Publishing Group.