Biopolymers and cell. 1996; 12 (1): 29 - 41

Some paradigms of molecular biology and genetics and the history of sciences

M. D. Golubovsky

Using some examples of perception of new discoveries in the field of general and molecular genetics we compared two approaches to the understanding of science development — classicaland nontraditional one. Firstapproach imagines a science development as a process of'step by step accumulation ofnew facts which are obtained according to some universally recognized criteria. Nontraditional approach sees an essence in the regular change of conceptions and scientific paradigms. New hypothesis are usually put forward and accepted or neglected according to some personal individual criteria and paradigm adopted. A core ofG. Mendel discovery is not afield of new facts but the new paradigm about nature of heredity and methods of its investigation- This mendelian paradigm determined the accumulation and interpretation of knowledge in the field of general and molecular genetics. At the same time a lot of facts which did not correspond to the paradigms of chromosomal theory of inheritance were usually neglected or rejected. Some controversies connected with the birth of mobile genetics and understanding of science development are briefly discussed.