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400
genetics bc
400 BC Greek philosophers contemplate the mechanisms of human inheritance. Aristotle believes that traits acquired during life, such as injuries, can be passed to offspring. He also develops the theory of "pangenesis", which attempts to explain how these traits are transmitted via particles called "gemules" to the reproductive cells -
genetics
1866 Augustinian monk Gregor Mendel publishes his work on the patterns of inheritance in pea plants. His meticulous studies mark the birth of modern genetics. Mendel's findings escape the notice of other researchers for over three decades -
genetics
1882 Chromosomes are discovered by German biologist Walter Fleming, and named with the Greek prefix meaning "colour" because they become stained when cells are dyed -
genetics
1902 Mendel's research is rediscovered by botanists in 1900. US and German cell biologists then independently notice the link between Mendel's "units of inheritance" and chromosomes. They conclude that hereditary information is contained within chromosomes -
genetics
1951 Clear X-ray diffraction images of DNA are captured for the first time by British researcher Rosalind Franklin -
genetics
1973 US researcher Herb Boyer uses enzymes to cut DNA and splice it into bacterial plasmids, which then replicate producing many copies of the inserted gene. This heralds the dawn of genetic engineering -
genetics
1983 The gene for an inherited disorder (Huntington's disease) is mapped to a chromosome for the first time -
genetics
1994 FlavrSavr tomatoes, genetically modified to have a long shelf-life is the first GM product to go on sale in the US. GM tomato puree goes in sale in the UK in 1996 -
genetics
2003 A tropical fish that fluoresces bright red becomes the first genetically modified pet to go on sale in the US -
genetics
5000 BC Demonstrating some understanding of inheritance, humans worldwide begin to selectively breed more useful varieties of livestock and crops, including wheat, maize, rice and dates