At the start of the 19th century, French scientist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck suggested characteristics acquired by an organism during its lifetime could be passed on to its offspring.

But with the rise of Darwin, Lamarck’s ideas fell from favour. Honeywill follows Lamarck in his personal and professional life, but then follows the recent re-emergence of the idea in a young Australian scientist Ted Steele, who believed that we do pass on genetic changes to our offspring, changes such as stronger immunity.

In 1978 Steele presented evidence that acquired immunity can alter genes for transmission to future generations. But Steele’s evidence was discredited; he was sacked and derided by the scientific community.