Genetics and art

Abstract

In the view of the geneticist art is more than l'art pour l'art . In the absence of written genetic records, stone carvings, statues, reliefs and paintings reveal a great deal about the genes carried by our ancient predecessors. Examination of artifacts with genetic knowledge of our time, provides valuable information on hereditary defects and anthropological characters from prehistoric times. Similarly studies of family histories and portraits, sketches, caricatures can be used in the reconstruction of the genotypes of individuals of recent past. An expert examination of art history is one of the most valuable methods to trace back the process of evolution and domestication of animals and the development of ornamental and crop plants. The major results of this study are documented by 78 illustrations of the text and 92 selected references.