Timeline: Genetics

5000 BC

Demonstrating some understanding of inheritance, humans worldwide begin to selectively breed more useful varieties of livestock and crops, including wheat, maize, rice and dates

400 BC

Greek philosophers contemplate the mechanisms of human inheritance. Aristotle believes that traits acquired during life, such as injuries, can be passed to offspring. He also develops the theory of "pangenesis", which attempts to explain how these traits are transmitted via particles called "gemules" to the reproductive cells. [Read more] ...