Chapter 1: The Legacy of Gregor Mendel

In the early 1980s, genetics was a prominent subject during my university years. I chose biology, anticipating that my lectures would delve into topics like insect behavior and bird calls—essentially, ecosystems. However, I found myself immersed in the intricate workings of microscopic cells instead. It was a type of life I had not anticipated, but the allure of the double helix was undeniable and remained a hot topic.

Many people are unaware that the foundation of genetic study was laid by Gregor Mendel, a monk from 19th-century Moravia, who uncovered the principles of heredity. I recently read a biography titled The Monk in the Garden: The Lost and Found Genius of Gregor Mendel, the Father of Genetics by Robin Morantz Helig, which provides fascinating insights into this intriguing scientist.

One key takeaway from Mendel’s life was his unwavering focus, which I found deeply motivating. Unlike Charles Darwin, who often receives the spotlight in discussions of historical scientists, Mendel's life story is less commonly known.

“Shortly after Mendel’s death, all his personal and scientific papers were burned in a huge bonfire in the monastery courtyard on the very spot where his greenhouse had once stood,” notes Henig. This tragic destruction wasn’t due to the controversial nature of his work—its significance was largely unrecognized at the time—but rather possibly a jealous act by a colleague who ascended to the role of abbot.

Mendel dedicated countless hours to his greenhouse, meticulously crossbreeding garden pea plants. He used a paintbrush to transfer pollen from one plant to another, conducting these experiments repeatedly over the years. His commitment to detailed record-keeping and mathematical precision allowed him to decipher how traits were inherited, laying the groundwork for evolutionary theory.

I can only imagine that distractions were minimal in a monastery setting. Achieving 10,000 hours of expertise might have been straightforward for him. Mendel worked without the burden of commuting or financial worries, as he joined the Order of Saint Augustine partly to escape poverty.

In stark contrast, our modern lives are filled with interruptions. I often find myself sacrificing productivity to indulge in the latest social media updates. The terminology of our fast-paced digital interactions reflects this chaos: "tweets" symbolize brief, fleeting moments, "Insta" suggests instant gratification, and "TikTok" signifies the relentless passage of time.

This leads to a vital question: what could we achieve with a singular focus? How might our outcomes improve if we remained dedicated to one goal? If we refrained from becoming disheartened or bored with our chosen paths?

Recently, I have sought to adopt Mendel’s concentrated approach in my fiction writing. I've aimed to commence my work earlier, extend my writing sessions by ten minutes, and complete my daily word count before dinner, all while resisting the urge for immediate feedback.

Shutting out the external world can be challenging. (Even Mendel had to set aside his research when he became abbot and took on additional responsibilities.) Disconnecting from the Internet is nearly impossible when you need to look up definitions or synonyms. Plus, the allure of entertainment like Wordle can be hard to resist.

Nevertheless, if I envision my writing desk as a perennial flower and my words as blossoming buds, what remarkable ideas might flourish?

In this video titled "Gregor Mendel: The Father of Modern Genetics," viewers can explore Mendel's groundbreaking contributions and the impact of his discoveries on modern genetics.

Chapter 2: A Deeper Dive into Mendel's Discoveries

The video "The Man Who Discovered Dominant & Recessive Genes: Meet Gregor Mendel" provides a fascinating look at how Mendel's work laid the foundation for our understanding of genetic inheritance.

Elaine Medline is the author of That Silent Summer for middle-grade readers and Sprinkle Drifter, a young adult fantasy novel, both available on Amazon.