Clara Pinto-Correia is brilliantly illuminating on “preformation”, the
historical idea that gametes contain future generations ad infinitum in The
Ovary of Eve. By asking, “which came first, the sperm or the egg?” she reveals
the religious, cultural and social complexity of this beautiful scientific
notion, which occupied the minds of natural philosophers for over a century.
Published by University of Chicago Press, £23.95/$29.95, ISBN
0226669521.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Life
Doubling their genomes may have helped plants survive mass extinctions
News
Environment
Fire is spreading in the Chernobyl exclusion zone after drone crash
News
Environment
There’s a been a sudden increase in the rate of sea level rise
News
Mind
Slow breathing can calm the mind without any need for mindfulness
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
PCOS postpones perimenopause and allows pregnancies at older ages
2
The mathematician who doesn’t exist
3
Red-light therapy does have health benefits but not the ones you think
4
Woman in cancer remission without treatment in highly unusual case
5
A lost ancient script reveals how writing as we know it really began
6
Man destined for Alzheimer's may have been saved by accidental therapy
7
Neanderthal 'kneeprint' found next to mysterious stalagmite circle
8
Fire is spreading in the Chernobyl exclusion zone after drone crash
9
Honey has been used as medicine for centuries – does it really work?
10
There’s a been a sudden increase in the rate of sea level rise
