Did Sutton and Boveri propose the so-called Sutton-Boveri chromosome hypothesis?

Abstract

The "Sutton-Boveri chromosome hypothesis" attempted to establish a parallel between cytological chromosome behavior and the principles followed by Mendelian factors. Today, this hypothesis is well accepted; however, it was not completely accepted at its proposal . The aim of the present study is to elucidate the meaning of the chromosome hypothesis based on the original scientific works, taking into account the scientific context of that time. The negative treatment this hypothesis received is evaluated. I conclude that it was unfair to include Boveri's name beside that of Sutton's as one of the proponents of the chromosome hypothesis of Mendelian heredity, because he did not publish any hypothesis of that kind during the relevant period (1902)(1903). Moreover, no coherent chromosome hypothesis existed during that period. Sutton and other researchers of that time were strongly influenced both by cytological knowledge grounded in observations and theoretical presuppositions that led to interpretations with no observational basis. The chromosome hypothesis was not proposed as a result of experimental cytological research.

Hansemann, Boveri, chromosomes and the gametogenesis-related theories of tumours

“…Of course, none of this diminishes Boveri's outstanding achievements, which were to establish the identity of the chromosomes, and also to realise that gametes contain one of each of the pairs of chromosomes of the parent, which are then united by fertilisation to produce the doubled (diploid) chromosomal status of the new individual, in harmony with Mendel's laws (see Harris, 1999;Martins, 1999).…”

“…In respect therefore, of the originality of chromosomal theories of cancer, it is in our view very doubtful that Boveri's contribution deserves equal credit with Hansemann's (as is implicit in the phrase ''HansemanneBoveri theory'') or indeed, very much credit at all. Of course, none of this diminishes Boveri's outstanding achievements, which were to establish the identity of the chromosomes, and also to realise that gametes contain one of each of the pairs of chromosomes of the parent, which are then united by fertilisation to produce the doubled (diploid) chromosomal status of the new individual, in harmony with Mendel's laws (see Harris, 1999;Martins, 1999).…”

Genetika v učebnicích biologie a přírodopisu: historie a současnost

“…Mezitím byla v roce 1902 navržena tzv. chromozomální teorie dědičnosti (Sutton, 1903), označovaná v pozdější literatuře po svých dvou nezávislých objevitelích také jako Sutton-Boveriho hypotéza (Crow & Crow, 2002;Martins, 1999). Mendelem popsané alely determinující fenotyp organismu jsou dle této hypotézy neseny právě již známými chromozomy (Sutton, 1903).…”

110 anos após a hipótese de Sutton-Boveri: a teoria cromossômica da herança é compreendida pelos estudantes brasileiros?

“…É importante salientar que, no período 1902-1903, não havia uma hipótese consensual sobre a associação de fatores mendelianos e os cromossomos, mas várias hipóteses diferentes e muitas vezes conflitantes (MARTINS, 1999). A hipótese de Suton-Boveri, no entanto, ganhou aceitação geral gradualmente, sendo inicialmente fortemente contestada, mesmo por Thomas Hunt Morgan, um dos pesquisadores que mais influenciaram para a posterior aceitação dessa hipótese por toda a comunidade científica, culminando no estabelecimento da Teoria Cromossômica da Herança (THC) (ARAÚJO; MARTINS, 2008;BENSON, 2001), que corresponde a um dos pressupostos básicos para a compreensão da hereditariedade.…”

“…Evidentemente, para tanto, é necessária uma reflexão sobre a formação inicial e permanente do docente na organização e seleção dos conteúdos inseridos no currículo, para que a História da Ciência não seja usada de maneira ingênua ou como uma sequência linear de fatos, impedindo a formação de uma concepção crítica sobre a temática (MARTINS, 1998;JOAQUIM;EL-HANI, 2012 A TCH é um dos exemplos bem documentados de discussões conceituais na comunidade científica, entre pontos de vista discordantes de que os fatores hereditários estariam exclusivamente associados ao citoplasma ou ao núcleo celular (BENSON, 2001;MARTINS, 1999). A proposição das ideias de Sutton (1902Sutton ( , 1903) promoveu a discussão de diversos pontos conflitantes sobre os pressupostos da base física dos fatores mendelianos.…”