John Burdon Sanderson Haldane (1892- 1964)

[KALKI]

John Burdon Sanderson Haldane (1892- 1964) the world-renowned geneticist. In 1922, he joined Cambridge University to take up research in biochemistry and in 1925, J.B.S. became interested in genetics-the study of genetics and variations and this subsequently led him to his being elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1932. A year later he joined the University College, London, as Professor of Genetics, a position he held as long as he stayed in Britain. Haldane was the first to use mathematics in genetics. Among his significant contributions is an estimate of the rate of mutation of a human gene. He wrote articles on popular science and gave lectures. Some of his famous books are The Causes of Evolution, New Paths in Genetics and Biochemistry of Genetics.

Haldane was friends with the author Aldous Huxley and was the basis for the biologist Shearwater in Huxley's novel Antic Hay. Ideas from Haldane's Daedalus, such as ectogenesis (the development of fetuses in artificial wombs), also influenced Huxley's Brave New World. He had many students, the most famous of whom, John Maynard Smith was perhaps also the one most like himself.

He left Britain in 1907 and come to live in India, a country he came to love during his several visits here. He was inspired by Hindu philosophy, the Hindu way of life and the principle of non-violence. The Gita impressed him. He even liked the dhoti and kurta attire and used to wear them.

Disillusioned with Marxism in the 1940s and 50s, he eventually moved to India to conduct scientific research.

He came to India with a purpose. He became an Indian citizen, and went native. He knew the country had a variety of animals and plants in large numbers. He wanted to develop research in biology. He was at first appointed professor at the India Statistical Institute, Calcutta and later he became Director, Genetics and Biometry Laboratory in Bhubaneswar, Orissa where he died in 1964.

(source: British geneticist who adopted Hinduism - vidyapatha.com).