August Weismann

Sull'autore

August Weismann was a prominent German evolutionary biologist known for his groundbreaking theories on heredity and the role of germ cells in evolution. His most significant contribution was the Weismann barrier, which proposed that hereditary information is transmitted only through germ cells, thus separating the germ line from somatic cells. This idea challenged the then-dominant Lamarckian view of inheritance, which included the transmission of acquired characteristics. Weismann's work laid the foundation for modern genetics and influenced the scientific understanding of evolution, heredity, and the mechanisms of natural selection.

Weismann's research extended beyond heredity; he engaged in debates about the nature of evolution, influencing many contemporaries and future scientists. He authored several important texts, including "Essays Upon Heredity and Kindred Biological Problems" and "The Evolution Theory," where he articulated his ideas in detail. His theories have had a lasting impact on biology, shaping the discourse around evolution and genetics well into the 20th century and beyond.