The influence of one scientist affected everyone’s conclusions! Yes, I suppose there is bias and assumptions common within scientific disciplines.
“But so powerful was the ‘authority’ of the distinguished Theophilus Painter, that this number was unchallenged for more than 30 years. According to BBC commentator Robert Matthews, “For years biochemists refused to believe humans possess 23 pairs of chromosomes”. Why? “Because it contradicted the claims” of this “influential American zoologist”. So, “many ignored the evidence of their own eyes rather than challenge the great man”.”
Read more here: https://creation.com/great-chromosome-fiasco
Picture from: https://pixabay.com/vectors/genetics-chromosomes-rna-dna-156404/ accessed 1/6/23.
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This explains the “Mandela effect” memories I had as a young scientist. I had a collection of science textbooks for high school and college that spanned the 20th Century in their publication dates. When I went to college, I had it in my head that humans had 24 pairs of chromosomes. It hit me like a ton of bricks that I had somehow remembered it wrong. Turns out there was no false memory at all!