Understanding Life as Molecules: Reductionism Versus Vitalism
Résumé
David versus Goliath: Since the first synthesis of urea by F. Wöhler (see portrait) in 1828, chemistry has played a major role in the decline of vitalism through its reductionist approaches and has continuously provided remarkable contributions to the understanding of the nature of life. Future progress in the emerging postgenomic era resides in the balanced combination of chemistry and integrative biology.