FREEDOM OF THE AIR
Sir-TIt is regrettable that so many people are ready to rush into print when their religious doctrines are criticised without (1) realising ‘what science is, (2) knowing what they are talking about. The quoting of "authorities" is a favourite ruse of these crusaders, as if in a ‘phrase one might demolish an_ inconvenient theory. Scientific theories are made to be tested experimentally, not ‘Tejected on the advice of a Hebrew ancient (or modern). Atheism and mysticism are purely personal dogmas and have no place in science, but anyone ac--quainted with the slow, halting progress of science cannot fail to be impressed with the tragic shackling and limitation of the intellect by mysticism so painfully put aside through the centuries. | This replacement of dogma by the "trial and error method," that is to say by ‘experimental science, constitutes the most glorious adventure in man’s * history--and a deeply spiritual one at that. How many times has experiment triumphed over ‘those who said, "This is so! Man cannot penetrate this mystery. " These were the people whose position rested on ignorance, superstition, and terrorism of the most degrading kind. The units of heredity can be seen, measured, their combinations prophesied, and new species produced experimentally. If that eminent sceptic Bateson could know of the use to which his words were put, he would realise his scepticism was justified! In Darwin’s day nothing was known of the units of inheritance, but since 1903 biology has been revolutionised and put on an equal footing with other sciences, by the enormous development of. cytugenétics, especially in the last few years. It is impossible for anyone to deliver summary judgment dn these matters
without a remarkably comprehensive and up-to-the minute knowledge of all cytogenetic work in progress, for this deals with the building stones of heredity and vatiation and hence biological evolution. Disregard the evolutionary hypothesis as you will-ignore the contradictions which you meet with in cyto-genetics-but remember experimental heredity (re the testing of Darwin’s first hypothesis) is the field of the scientist, not of the revivalist. ;
BIOLOGIST
(Christchurch).
(Abridged.-Ed. )
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 13, Issue 331, 26 October 1945, Page 5
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346FREEDOM OF THE AIR New Zealand Listener, Volume 13, Issue 331, 26 October 1945, Page 5
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