Commentary: On Haldane's 'defense of beanbag genetics'.

It is now almost 45 years since Haldane’s ‘Defense of beanbag genetics’ appeared, and the time is ripe for an evaluation of that defence, particularly in the light of developments over the last two decades. This deliberately provocative review is divided into four parts: first, a discussion of why Haldane felt that a defence was necessary; second, a review of what his defence actually was; third, suggestions as to what his defence should have been; and fourth, a discussion of what changes might be made to the defence had it been written now and not in 1964.