Summary of Research Contributions of Krishna Dronamraju, Ph.D. Prof. Krishna Rao Dronamraju was a student and close associate of J.B.S. Haldane, receiving his Ph.D. in genetics in 1966 from the Indian Statistical Institute in Calcutta. His research publications cover several subjects. These are briefly described below. (a) Sympatric speciation: His first research (under Haldane's direction) revealed the species-specific pattern of colour preferences by pollinating lepidoptera, while visiting the two varieties of Lantana camara L, one with white-pink flowers and another with orange-yellow flowers. His observations provided evidence supporting at least partial reproductive isolation between the two plant varieties, raising the possibility of sympatric speciation by further isolation and differentiation in due course (Nature, 186: 178, 1960). The existence of such sympatric situations was considered unlikely by Ernst Mayr. (b) Y-linked inheritance in man. Another research finding of fundamental significance was the proof provided by Dronamraju's research (conducted under Haldane's direction) on human pedigrees that the trait "hairy ears" (hypertrichosis pinnae auris) represents Y-chromosome linked pattern of inheritance (Journal of Genetics, 57: 230, 1960). Until then, the prevailing view, which was supported by Curt Stern and other leading geneticists, was that the human Y chromosome was genetically inert. Dronamraju's research led the way in the 1960's to change that view. It was also the centerpiece of his Ph.D. dissertation that was submitted to the Indian Statistical Institute in 1964. (c) Human inbreeding: Dronamraju and his colleagues led the study of human inbreeding in Andhra Pradesh, reporting the highest inbreeding coefficient in human populations known at that time (Journal of Genetics, 58: 387, 1963). His publications on the high degree of inbreeding and its impact have had a worldwide influence on all later investigators both in India and other countries. (d) Cleft lip and Cleft palate in association with fetal mortality: In a series of papers published in Clinical Genetics (vols.23-27, 1983-85), Dronamraju showed that there is a positive correlation between the degree of liability to oral clefts and the extent of fetal mortality in their sibships, indicating that the fetal loss occurring in these families is most likely due to increased multifactorial liability resulting in complex malformations that are associated with clefting in the fetuses. These results, which are indicative of prenatal selection, are summarized in his book: Cleft Lip and Palate: Aspects of Reproductive Biology (1986). (e) Biotechnology and the impact of recombinant DNA research: Dronamraju's books made a significant intellectual contribution to the subject, summarizing and evaluating the latest advances and the controversies they generated. These are: Biological and Social Issues in Biotechnology Sharing (1998), and Biological Wealth and Other Essays (2002). (f) Genetics of infectious diseases: His two recent books on infectious diseases, (based on international conferences organized by himself in the U.K. and Italy), are a valuable contribution to the study of infectious diseases, providing insights on the genetics and epidemiology of malaria. These books are: Infectious Disease and Host-Pathogen Evolution (2004), and Malaria: Genetic and Evolutionary Aspects (2006). (g) History of Genetics: In several papers and books, Dronamraju made a significant contribution to the history of genetics, especially the contributions and the impact of J.B.S. Haldane. Of particular interest are: (ed) Selected Genetic Papers of JBS Haldane (1990), Foundations of Human Genetics (1989), and The History and Development of Human Genetics (1992). Also, his paper on Haldane which was published in the Notes & Records of the Royal Society of London. (1987). (h) Social consequences of Genetics: Dronamraju's book: (ed) Haldane's Daedalus Revisited (1995) presents an excellent discussion of the ethical and social impact of the applications of genetics. (i) Scientific biography: He is the author of two biographical books: The Life and Work of JBS Haldane with special reference to India (1985) and The Life and Work of Julian Huxley (1993). In addition, he is the author of several biographical articles on the scientific works of JBS Haldane, Erwin Schrodinger, Julian Huxley, George W. Beadle, Archibald Garrod, William Bateson, Herman J. Muller and others. Dr. Dronamraju was a member of the U.S. Presidential delegation to India led by President Bill Clinton in 2000. Since 1990, he actively promoted the scientific cooperation between the U.S. and India. In particular, he has been a strong advocate of the intellectual property rights of the indigenous people and the biodiversity of the developing countries.
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