PASS Scripta Varia 21 - Pontifical Academy of Sciences

RAFAEL VICUÑA
tional aspects in a single definition. Obviously, this state of affairs has not
stopped scientists and philosophers to confront this task, simply because the
gene concept represents a central issue in the biological sciences. Somewhere
in the way, investigators have advanced reasons to declare the concept
of the gene dead, to be thereafter refuted with arguments showing just the
opposite. 50 Fortunately, finding a univocal definition of the gene persists as
an ongoing intellectual challenge, because it gives us the opportunity to
witness a fascinating display of thoughts and ideas at the boundary of
knowledge. In the meantime, experimental molecular geneticists will continue
to progress in the understanding of genome structure and expression.
This situation evokes that of biology itself, in whose various branches scientists
have been able to make paramount advances in spite of lacking a
formal definition of living beings.
50
Hall, B.K. The gene is not dead, merely orphaned and seeking a home. Evol.&Dev.
3:4, 225-228, 2001.
214 The Scientific Legacy of the 20 th Century