Alfred Henry Sturtevant

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Alfred Henry Sturtevant

1891-1970

American geneticist who is best remembered for his research involving the fruit fly Drosophila. Among his contributions, he determined that genes are arranged in linear order on chromosomes, demonstrated the role of chromosomal crossing over (genes switching chromosomes) in mutations, and the role genetics plays in sexual selection. He was also one of the first scientists to be concerned with the possible problems radiation from nuclear testing would have on human genetics and evolution.

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