title: [Molecular biology, darwinism and nomogenesis].
abstract: The theory of nomogenesis put forward by L. S. Berg in 1922 is discussed. It is shown that side by side with some erroneous anti-darwinian ideas the theory contains a series of important suggestions which anticipate the further development of the synthetic theory of evolution. Berg has foreseen the development of molecular biology. Thus he was the fore-teller of our branch of science. The theory of nomogenesis emphasized the limitations of natural selection which determine the directionality of evolution. Berg treated the speciation as a kind of phase transition. Even the most conscientious critics of Berg have misrepresented the real sense of his works. It is totally groundless to treat nomogenesis as an idealistic of Lamarkian theory. Berg was superior to his critics. However the enthusiasm about nomogenesis in our time shows the inability to separate "the grains from weeds".
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Vol'kenshteĭn
mesh_terms: D005075:Biological Evolution; D049673:History, 20th Century; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000266:history; D014586:USSR
vernacular_title: Molekuliarnaia biologiia, darvinizm i nomogenez.