Genetic reductionism was one of the dominant currents in the second half of the 20th century as a result of the biological disci-plines taking over the prestige of the physical sciences, as well as the popularization of evolutionary metaphors in the philosophy of science. Despite this, the explanatory power of reductionism happened to be limited, not following the same evolutionary paradigm. In modern research, this approach is almost ubiquitously criticized, however, genetic reductionism, one way or another, finds its representation in the field of social policies, the media, and even a number of scientific works. This article attempts to find out why the opposition to genetic reductionism, like the «fight against the undead», doesn’t stop, and how reductionist views remain popular in various fields. In addition, it’s considered why genetic reductionism is not relevant today, what determines the popularity of this position, how reductionism affects genetic research, its perception, and how it harms in genetics and in socio-humanitarian understanding.
genetics; bioethics; reductionism; determinism; methodology; philosophy of biology; public health.