Gregor Johann Mendel, the founder of genetics, was actively read and discussed in Bohemia and Moravia in the period after 1900. For the first time, this volume presents a collection of relevant papers that deal with the reception of Mendelism from the ‘re-discovery’ of Mendel’s laws until the establishment of genetics (the science of heredity) as an independent area of biological research in 1930s. The selected papers also reveal the influence and incorporation of science of genetics in various scientific, social and political disputes. Especially interesting are the parallel German and Slavic discussions of genetics in Bohemia and Moravia.

In addition to a number of well known authors, the book presents for the first time contributions of both Czech and German authors from the territories of Bohemia and Moravia. In their day all these persons contributed to the reception of Mendelism and development of genetics. All authors are also introduced by brief biographies. Works published originally in German are kept in their original language. Works written in Czech are translated into English.