This paper compares different paths in the development of molecular biology between China and the West in the 1950s and the 1970s， and then analyzes the reasons for this phenomenon. It was not entirely the scientists’ lack of understanding of the international mainstream， nor the country’s excessive emphasis on integrating theory with practice， However， it was the research limitations caused by an erroneous understanding of the genetic theory during a period of time and the scientists’ limitations on specific topics under special historical conditions. The research efficiency then was not that high in the field of molecular biology. In this regard science should follow its own development laws； moreover scientists’ dominant position should be further strengthen in the scientific research work.