History of Regeneration Research: Milestones in the Evolution of a Science

In the eighteenth century, the phenomenon of animal regeneration captured the attention and imagination of the era's leading naturalists and intellectuals. Importantly, their research of the phenomenon spurred the transition from the descriptive science of natural history to modern experimental zoology. A History of Regeneration Research chronicles this crucial evolutionary period in the history of developmental biology, offering an insightful analysis of the milestones in regeneration research. The book is not only an account of leading researchers and their seminal discoveries in the field, but also brings together critical commentaries on the social context and philosphical commitments that shaded their interpretations. By strategically weaving content with context, the authors raise the discussion above the field of regeneration research; they explore the societal influences on the perception of Nature and shed light on the nature of the scientific enterprise itself and the way scientific discoveries are interpreted. Exploring new grounds, A History of Regeneration Research will be of great interest to historians of science as well as workers in developmental biology and medicine.