Editorial [Hot Topic: Landmarks in Developmental Biology and Evolution Part 1: Designing the Bodyplan (Guest Editor: A.J. Durston)]

Abstract

This mini hot topic is the first in a series ‘'Landmarks in Developmental Biology and Evolution,' intended to celebrate some recent landmarks and share excitement in Developmental Biology and Evolution. The ideas and discoveries here are by definition not mainstream. They break the mould by sheer unexpected serendipitous inspiration and may well upset the establishment. They can change history. Landmark discoveries are only made by going against the flow. What is exciting about science? Not impact factor nor translational importance (though the latter is important). Nature is beautiful. Who looking at a beautiful landscape, the movement of an eel, or the development of an embryo, could fail to feel a sense of awe? The same is true with the mechanisms underlying natural phenomena and the inspirational ideas and investigations that elucidate them. Darwin’s theory of natural selection, Spemann’s organiser, the Operon concept, E.B. Lewis’s analysis of the Bithorax complex, Newport and Kirschner’s MBT. Magic! The whole of embryonic development is a clear case in point. Many of us in this field have been inspired to start our careers by one or other of the findings above. The funding agencies seem to have lost sight of this. Why, then, one is not filled with joy by the average scientific meeting? This may be something to do with dogma. At a certain point, a scientific idea gains in respectability and sometimes credibility to the point that it is widely accepted. A natural part of the scientific process- but it has a dark side. Dogma can generate totalitarianism and stifle creativity. Young scientists are discouraged from pursuing original radical ideas that challenge dogma. Obedience is required. Science politics kicks in, with impact factors, harsh, non objective peer reviews and ‘people who represent a field’. Attention focuses on the detailed and less interesting aspects instead of pushing boundaries. This is pernicious. It spells the death of science, which becomes a religion and tediously boring. The development of a scientific area is often like a comet. An initial brilliant discovery and a diminishing tail of sparks. Those who challenge dogma become renegades- until their ideas become the new dogma. What is to be done? The purpose of this ‘mini hot topic’ series is to make a modest start in giving the mavericks a voice. We give exposure to and celebrate recent exciting radical ideas that challenge dogma and have the potential to change history. Some already have. Of course, they, like dogma, can be wrong. The ‘mad scientist’ is familiar. But if they are elegant, like nature, we should suspect there is truth. At any rate, they are fun and stimulate the imagination. Some of our ‘Mini Hot Topic issues’ will contain my personal choices, reflecting ideas and discoveries that have fired my own imagination. Others will be guest edited by inspiring colleagues