Bacteriophage Biology and Kenneth Schaffner's Rendition of Developmentalism

Author: Morgan G.J.

Source: Biology and Philosophy, Volume 16, Number 1, January 2001 , pp. 85-92(8)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

In this paper I consider Kenneth Schaffner's (1998) rendition of ``developmentalism'' from the point of view of bacteriophage biology. I argue that the fact that a viable phage can be produced from purified DNA and host cellular components lends some support to the anti-developmentalist, if they first show that one can draw a principled distinction between genetic and environmental effects. The existence of host-controlled phage host range restriction supports the developmentalist's insistence on the parity of DNA and environment. However, in the case of bacteriophage, the developmentalist stands on less firm ground than when organisms with nervous systems, such as Schaffner's C. elegans, are considered.

Keywords: bacteriophage; developmentalism; developmental systems theory; genetic information; Kenneth Schaffner; philosophy of molecular biology

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Department of Philosophy , The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, U.S.A.

Publication date: 2001-01-01