The History of Anesthesiology Reprint Series: Volume Thirty Genetic Aspects of the Practice of Anesthesiology

Although not the very first to experiment on genetic inheri-tance, Gregor Johann Mendel, a Moravian monk, is given the major credit for his seminal observations in that field. During the latter half of the 19th century, his contributions in that domain consisted of statistical analyses (collectively known as Mendel's law) of the manner in which the leguminous pea (Pisum sativum) reproduces during cross-fertilization. Those features (seed color for example) which were always evident in hybrids were designated as dominant and those not present as recessive, either transmitted as a matter of chance. Ultimately (as the chromosomal theory of inheritance in animals was promulgated) a distinction was made between the genotype (genetic constitution) and phenotype (influence of the environment)