Phil. 7350: Genetics and Determinism

 

Questions on Fox Keller, The Century of the Gene:

 

1.       What does Fox Keller claim were the two Òarticles of faithÓ of nineteenth century geneticists? (see Chap. 1) Were they warranted in these beliefs at that time?  Why or why not?  What subsequent work has challenged these articles of faith, according to Fox Keller? (See Chap. 1 & 2)

 

2.       How, according to Fox Keller, has the Human Genome Project taught us ÒhumilityÓ?

 

3.       What sorts of empirical evidence in the last half century has challenged the belief that the DNA itself is the source of fidelity of replication?  What reasons does Fox Keller offer for the claim that fidelity of replication itself evolved? (Chap. 1)

 

4.       What does Fox Keller mean by ÒevolvabilityÓ?  How is the evolution of ÒevolvabilityÓ, according to Keller, challenge neo-Darwinism? (Chap. 1)

 

5.       How, according to Keller, (Chap. 1) has molecular and evolutionary biology challenged the assumption that stability at the phenotypic level is a product of stability or fidelity of replication at the genic level?

 

6.       What is the ÒCentral DogmaÓ?  Why is it called a ÒdogmaÓ?  (Chap. 2)  How did the one gene-one enzyme hypothesis embody one of the articles of faith of early genetics, according to Fox Keller?  What evidence has forced geneticists to rethink this hypothesis? 

 

7.       Fox Keller says (p. 98) that the answer to the age-old conundrum of Òwhich comes first Ð the chicken or the egg?Ó is, Both!  What does she mean by this? 

 

8.       How, according to Fox Keller, (Chap. 3) does new empirical data challenge the assumption that the Òprogram for making an organismÓ Òresides in the genesÓ?

 

9.       What is the point of Fox KellerÕs analogy between the T. Rex and the Gene (Conclusion)?

 

10.   How did this book challenge your own views on the role of genes in development, and of the role of genes in ÒmakingÓ the organism?  What empirical data surprised you?  What conceptual analysis was novel to you?

 

11.   Find a book review of Fox Keller in a science or philosophy journal.  What do you think of the authorÕs criticisms and/or praises?  Do you agree or disagree with the author of the review?  Why or why not?