Population Genetics Theory: Another View

In this reply to Kempthorne's critique of current populationgenetics theory (this symposium), I describe the differencesin viewpoint and in choice of evidence which lead me to a morefavorable conclusion. Kempthorne's attacks on the general selectionmodel and on Fisher's Fundamental Theorem of Natural Selectionhave considerable justification; in both cases, however, qualificationis preferable to demolition. Furthermore, recent advances inselection theory really meet Kempthorne's well-founded objections.Finally, the most substantial point in Kempthorne's critiqueis not that current population genetics theory is inoperable,but that it is practically impossible to apply to life-historyproblems. Computers, properly programmed, may provide a valuableway around this impasse. In addition, the necessity and thedifficulty of manipulating one variable at a time have beenwith science for a long and exasperating time.