Pseudoallelism and the Gene Concept

The information assembled and submitted here supports the concept that the spatial gene, the functional gene and the mutational gene are one and the same. Moreover, pseudoallelism does not invalidate but rather augments the unified gene concept. Thus while pseudoallelic mutants manifest similar or even inseparable phenotypes, the available evidence points to their functional distinctiveness. The occurrence in the case of pseudoalleles of a differential phenotype depending upon whether the mutants are associated in coupling or repulsion cannot be readily explained in terms of an all inclusive "physiological" gene within which crossing-over occurs. Rather, the explanation will follow when the mechanism of gene action, particularly of pseudoalleles, is better understood.