19世紀末，當達爾文發(fā)表他的進化論學說時掀起了一場革命性的軒然大波。從那以后，達爾文的理論成為了被廣泛接受的科學玉律。但是現(xiàn)在，科學家泰德·斯第兒的觀點吹皺了一池春水。
很多年以來，泰德和來自全世界的合作者一直在探尋挑戰(zhàn)生物學基本原則—— 魏思曼屏障[魏思曼的種質(zhì)論認為：多細胞生物體可以截然地區(qū)分為種質(zhì)和體質(zhì)兩部分。種質(zhì)是親代傳遞給后代的遺傳物質(zhì)，它存留于生殖細胞的染色體上。種質(zhì)是 連續(xù)的，即種質(zhì)產(chǎn)生種質(zhì)，它們世代相傳、連續(xù)不斷，在本質(zhì)上是不死的。體質(zhì)則不然，體質(zhì)也是由種質(zhì)產(chǎn)生，但它只是生物的軀體，隨著機體的死亡而死亡，體質(zhì) 在每一世代需重新產(chǎn)生。體質(zhì)通過生長和發(fā)育形成新個體的各種組織和器官，但它不能產(chǎn)生種質(zhì)，它只是對種質(zhì)起一個保護、營養(yǎng)和提供“棲息地”的作用。種質(zhì)因 受到良好保護很難受到環(huán)境影響而改變，種質(zhì)與環(huán)境影響的隔離后來被稱為“魏思曼屏障”。譯者注]——的主張，使在科學歷史上最被壓制的理論重新抬頭。他們 的理論建立在拉馬克·J·B發(fā)表的早于達爾文的《物種起源》50年的著作上。拉馬克認為人的一生中獲得的特性是可以遺傳給下一代的。泰德接受了他的理論， 相信我們可以繼續(xù)進行基因的改良，例如使我們的孩子獲得更強的免疫。
在杰出的科學哲學家卡爾·波派的鼓勵下，1979年，泰德的第一本著作橫空出世。它給傳統(tǒng)的進化論思想帶來了沖擊，從那以后，他和合作者們與科學教條，他們自己的大學和媒體斗爭，以讓人們接受他們的研究。
泰德是不是付出了一生，卻是追尋一個錯誤的夢想？ 或是他打算改變我們所知的地球生命？這風險很高——他們的名譽、事業(yè)，還有我們對進化論的理解，都岌岌可危。
原文：Charles Darwin started a revolution when he published his evolutionary theory in the late 1800s. Since then, Darwinian theory has become the accepted scientific doctrine, but now scientist Ted Steele is stirring things up again.
For years, Ted and his collaborators around the world have been researching ideas that challenge a fundamental principle of biology - the Weismann Barrier - and have given new life to one of the most discredited theories in the history of science. Their proposition is based on the work of Jean Baptiste de Lamarck, published some 50 years before Darwin's The Origin of Species. Lamarck's concept is that characteristics acquired during a lifetime could be passed on to the next generation. Ted is convinced that we can pass on these genetic improvements, such as stronger immunity, to our children.
Encouraged by the great science philosopher Karl Popper, Ted launched his first book in 1979. It shook the foundations of evolutionary thinking. Since then, he and his collaborators have battled with the scientific establishment, their own universities and the media to have their research accepted.
Has Ted devoted a lifetime to pursuing a false dream or is he about to change what we know about life on earth? The stakes are high - reputations, careers and our understanding of evolution are all on the line.
