莱纳斯·鲍林DNA研究失败的原因探析

Analysis of the Failure Factors in Linus Pauling's DNA Research

美国化学家莱纳斯·鲍林参与了著名的DNA科学竞争。对于鲍林DNA研究失败的原因,学界常见的观点有"资料缺乏说"、"自负说"、"老科学家"症状等。通过原始文献和鲍林的相关回忆,追溯了鲍林对于遗传信息载体的不同认识阶段;从研究过程分析了思维定式对于研究成败的影响,比较了鲍林-科里与沃森-克里克思维方式的差异;最后,从碱基配对的角度初步探讨了鲍林研究方法的局限性。

According to the commonly held view in the academic circle, the American chemist Linus Pauling failed in the famous DNA research competition because of lack of information, conceit, and old scientist behaviors. By reviewing the original documents and Pauling's related memories, this paper traces his different views of genetic carrier in every important historical stages, analyzes the negative effects of mindset on Pauling's DNA research, compares the differences between Pauling-Corey and WatsonCrick and deals with the limitations of Pauling's method in terms of pairing. In so doing the author aims to reveal the methodological lessons in the light of the actual history.