The Jaina Doctrine of Karma And The Science Of Genetics: ▪ Genetics - Study of Heredity and Genes

Genetics is the study of heredity in general and of genes in particular. Since prehistoric times man has recognized the influence of heredity and has applied its principles to the improvement of cultivated crops and domestic animals. A Babylonian tablet more than 6000 years old for example shows pedigrees of horses and indicates possible inherited characteristics, other old caving shows cross pollination of date palm trees. Most of mechanisms of heredity however, remained a mystery until the 20th century when scientifically supported information become available.

Genetics overlaps with many different branches of biology and with many other sciences like chemistry, physics, mathematics, sociology, psychology and medicine. Microbiologist who study inheritance in micro organisms are called microbial geneticists, cytologists who study the genetics of cells are called cytogenetics. Biology or molecular geneticists investigate the chemical nature of the genes and its method of action. Some physicists have applied their technique to molecular genetics and solved certain problems of human and animal behaviour. Specialists in medical genetics or genetic counseling act on the knowledge that many of men's applications are hereditary.