Commentary: On RA Fisher's Bateson lecture on statistical methods in genetics

about making the tools before we can use them. We do not find much already made. In examining the fifth linkage group of the house-mouse I spent 9 generations in making up a quadruple recessive between closely linked factors. This was not in the least extravagant, but, on the contrary, a very profitable investment. Such preparation work, involving a programme of preliminary matings, should be more general, and should occupy a larger proportion of a department’s resources than is generally recognised. In a teaching department, to have such work going on is a first necessity, if anything like instruction in practical Genetics is to be attempted, for the preparation of genetic material needs both understanding and experience. I should suggest, too, that the continuity of policy which alone is possible at a great Institution devoted to genetic research, the routine analysis which is perfectly suitably carried out by trainees should be supplemented and supported by a permanent policy of preserving and enriching the collection of available genes and of reliably true breeding strains, the reactions of which are well known from previous experience. Well that perhaps is as much as I can hope to put into an hour’s discourse. We are the heirs of a tradition of potent ideas. The future of our science is full of promise. The more we reflect on the living creation with these ideas in mind the more there appears to be that can hopefully and fruitfully be attempted. Every generation in our science has the task of developing more penetrating and effective breeding techniques, for investigation, and for development. The full promise of our growing science can only be realised as we study these techniques, and apply them to those many problems which will only yield to professionally trained skill and experience. To preserve every point gained, and to enrich our armoury of resources, is especially the task of the permanent research establishments; and it is for his foresight in accepting the directorship of John Innes’ foundation that geneticists will always honour the name of William Bateson.