The Two Languages of Biology

The Two Languages of Biology

Contributor(s):
The Wellcome Library for the History and Understanding of Medicine. Francis Harry Compton Crick Papers
Crick, Francis, 1916-2004
Publication:
Produced: [1969?]
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Genetic Code
Genre(s):
Archival Materials
Lecture notes
Abstract:
Crick delivered this lecture, originally entitled "The Linear Languages of Biology," on October 29, 1969, as part of the Cambridge Philosophical Society's sesquicentenary celebrations. On the same evening, his fellow Cambridge Nobel Laureates John Kendrew and Max Perutz also gave lectures.. Crick here articulated the view of the genome as an information system, a linguistic text written in DNA code, with its own syntax and grammar, to be read and edited by scientists. This view had come to prevail among molecular biologists during the 1950s, the beginning of what was later called the information age. The metaphor of the genome as a script has guided their theories and experimental practices ever since.
Copyright:
This item may be under copyright protection; contact the copyright owner for permission before re-use.
Extent:
8 pages
NLM Unique ID:
101584582X41 (See in Profiles in Science)
Profiles in Science ID:
SCBBDN
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101584582X41
Archival Collection:
The Francis Crick Papers (Profiles in Science)