Laurence Schneider is professor emeritus of Chinese history at Washington University in St. Louis.

Using the field of genetics as a case study, this book follows the troubled development of modern natural science in China from the 1920s, through Mao's China, to the present post-socialist era. Through detailed portraits of key scientists and institutions, basic dilemmas are explored: how to control nature with science, how to gain independence from foreign-controlled science, how to get scientists out from under control of ideology and the state. Using the field of genetics as a case study, this book follows the troubled development of modern natural science in China from the 1920s, through Mao's China, to the present post-socialist era. Through detailed portraits of key scientists and institutions, basic dilemmas are explored: how to control nature with science, how to gain independence from foreign-controlled science, how to get scientists out from under control of ideology and the state.

Part 1 Introduction: Controlling Nature, Science, and Scientists Part 2 Part I: The Republican Era, 1911-1949 Chapter 3 Prologue: Independence through Dependence Chapter 4 Chapter 1: Biology at National Central, the Model University Chapter 5 Chapter 2: Genetics at Yanjing and Nanjing Universities Chapter 6 Chapter 3: War, Revolution, and Science Part 7 Part II: Mao's China, 1949-1976 Chapter 8 Chapter 4: Learning from the Soviet Union: Lysenkoism and the Suppression of Genetics Chapter 9 Chapter 5: Lysenkoism as Official Party Doctrine Chapter 10 Chapter 6: The Double Hundred Policy and the Restoration of Genetics Chapter 11 Chapter 7: One Step Forward, Two Back: Genetics from the Double Hundred through the Cultural Revolution Part 12 Part III: Deng's China, 1976-2000 Chapter 13 Chapter 8: Science Reforms and the Recovery of Genetics Chapter 14 Chapter 9: Biotechnology Becomes a Developmental Priority Chapter 15 Conclusion: Biology-with Chinese Characteristics