preformation

Wolff had risen up as an opponent of the so-called preformation theory, still widespread at that time, according to which the entire plant with all its different parts is already present in embryonic physical form in the seed, and simply grows out into space through physical enlargement.

Man or Matter Ernst Lehrs

I think that it is interesting that Behe has toyed with the idea of a kind of preformation of the DNA, with the genes for such-and-such being designed into the genome at the beginning and remaining hidden over the generations until they were expressed. nickmatzke

The true origin of "intelligent design" - The Panda's Thumb 2007

Specification of the primordial germ cells (PGCs) takes place via different strategies across animal phyla; either specified early in embryogenesis by the inheritance of maternal determinants in the cytoplasm of the oocyte ( 'preformation') or selected later in embryonic development from undifferentiated precursors by a localized inductive signal ( 'epigenesis').

BioMed Central - Latest articles 2010

Generation and growth were on his view, mechanical processes, for, according to the doctrine of preformation, which he shared with Malebranche, generation is just growth.

Kant and Leibniz Wilson, Catherine 2008

The argument appears in an early form as an argument against embryonic development, and in favor of preformation.

The true origin of "intelligent design" - The Panda's Thumb 2007

Similarly, there is a “disposition, an aptitude, a preformation, which determines our soul and brings it about that [necessary truths] are derivable from it.”

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Look, Brandon C. 2007

Epigenesis and preformation offer two competing interpretations of what is involved, with a range of alternatives in between.

Epigenesis and Preformationism Maienschein, Jane 2005

Thus, discussions of epigenesis and preformation often bring in other ancillary questions and are difficult to separate from their contexts.

Epigenesis and Preformationism Maienschein, Jane 2005

Whitman felt that what biology needed was a clear statement of the alternative views, and then movement to a new standpoint examining how much depends on the organism's developmental response to external conditions drawing on preformation, rather than on programmed internal unfolding alone.

Epigenesis and Preformationism Maienschein, Jane 2005

Yet typically discussions of epigenesis and preformation have focused on individual organisms and their development rather than on species.

Epigenesis and Preformationism Maienschein, Jane 2005