Who is considered the Father of genetics?

Gregor Mendel is recognized as the Father of Genetics due to his pioneering work in understanding the inheritance of traits in pea plants through systematic experimentation. His experiments, conducted in the mid-19th century, laid the groundwork for the field of genetics by establishing the fundamental laws of heredity. Mendel discovered how traits are passed from parents to offspring, identifying concepts such as dominant and recessive traits. His meticulous approach and the resulting Mendelian laws of inheritance were crucial milestones that later influenced the study of genetics and biology.

In contrast, the other figures mentioned contributed significantly to their respective fields but did not specifically focus on genetics in the same way. Charles Darwin is celebrated for his theory of evolution through natural selection. Louis Pasteur is known for his advancements in microbiology and the germ theory of disease. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck proposed early ideas on evolution, emphasizing the idea of acquired characteristics, which differs fundamentally from Mendel's genetic principles. Thus, Mendel's targeted research and findings are what earn him the title as the Father of Genetics.