Who is known as the father of genetics?

Gregor Mendel is recognized as the father of genetics due to his pioneering work in the study of heredity through his experiments with pea plants in the mid-19th century. Mendel's meticulous observations and methodical crossbreeding experiments led him to formulate the fundamental laws of inheritance, including concepts such as dominant and recessive traits, segregation, and independent assortment. His work laid the foundation for the field of genetics, although it remained unrecognized for several decades until its rediscovery in the early 20th century.

In contrast, Charles Darwin is known for his theories on evolution and natural selection, rather than specifically for genetics. James Watson and Francis Crick are celebrated for co-discovering the double helix structure of DNA, which is crucial to genetics, but their work came significantly later than Mendel's foundational experiments. Therefore, Mendel's contributions directly established the principles that are foundational to the understanding of genetic inheritance, solidifying his title as the father of genetics.