Facts and Reasonings Concerning the Heterogenous Evolution of Living Things* - Nature

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Abstract

IN all ages it has been believed by many that Living things of various kinds could come into being de nova, and without ordinary parentage. Much difference of opinion has, however, always prevailed as to the kinds of organisms which might so arise. And, although received as an article of faith by many biologists—perhaps by most—in the earlier ages, this doctrine or belief has, in more recent times, been rejected by a very large section of them. Definitely to prove or disprove the doctrine in some of its aspects is a matter of the utmost difficulty, and there are reasons enough to account for the wave of scepticism on this subject, which has been so powerful in its influence during the last century. The notions of the ancients were altogether crude, and founded upon insufficient proofs. It was not in their power to settle such a question; and when the inadequacy of the evidence on which they had relied became known, then much doubt was thrown also on the truth of the conclusion at which they had arrived. All this was natural enough. When, therefore, about a century ago, the rude microscopes of the time began to reveal a multitude of minute organisms whose existence had been hitherto unsuspected; when more facts became known concerning the various modes of reproduction amongst living things; and, above all, when the philosophical creeds of the day were supposed to be irreconcilable with such a doctrine, then a growing scepticism in the minds of many gradually developed into an utter disbelief in the possibility of the occurrence of what was called “ spontaneous generation.”

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