Statistical methods in genetics

Extract

Being the Bateson Lecture delivered at the John lnnes Horticultural Institution on Friday, 6th July 1951²

The title chosen for this lecture is “Statistical Methods in Genetics,” but after hearing what I have written you may think that it is not so much an account of the contributions which the study of Statistics has made to the advance of Genetics, as an examination of the nature of genetical Science from the point of view of a statistician. My reason for taking this point of view is that for many active years of my life I was fully engaged in doing what I could to further the progress of statistical methods, and that though for 25 years or so I have enjoyed the excitements of genetic experimentation, Genetics has only gradually come to be, for me, a whole time study, in place of a very fascinating hobby. Since that experience is in itself exceptional, it may be that the reflexions gathered on the way are worthy of record, and of interest to my genetical colleagues.