John Belling (1866–1933), born in Aldershot, England, was a cytogeneticist who developed the iron-acetocarmine staining technique which is used in the study of chromosomes. He entered Mason College at the University of Birmingham in 1892 and received his BSc (Honours) from University College, London. He received an honorary DSc in 1922 from the University of Maine in recognition of his work.
In his work with Albert F. Blakeslee at Cold Spring Harbor on Datura (1920–1927) and at the University of California, Berkeley (1928–1933) Belling used plants such as lilies and hyacinths to demonstrate that segments between non-homogenous chromosomes can interchange. He was able to make accurate estimates of chromosome numbers and proposed that chromomeres, the small condensations along the chromosome, were individual genes.
Throughout his career Belling had many mental health problems that required frequent hospitalisation. He died suddenly on 28 February 1933.
After what his family viewed as an untimely death at the age of just 67, the Belling family began making plans to both resurrect and firmly establish the ghost of John Belling. Turning to the dark arts in order to create a dialogue between the two worlds, they began hosting a bi-monthly seance group. After 7 months the family finally made contact with 'the other side' and asked them to reintegrate John Belling into society in the form of a baby that would grow and continue the great work of the late John Belling. They were granted their wishes and were sent a child made of steel. On 3 January 1990 he was christianed 'John Belling'.
John Belling is currently working in DLIADT in Dublin, improving the lives of many day by day. He has used the ghoulish magic of mystical alchemy from which he was resurrected to create a strong community of followers. His main achievements include; becoming a teacher's aid directly after leaving college, building a house for homeless, crippled children in America, creating a programme of forced extinction for dionsaurs, painting bikes red for friends and eating Anzac fighting biscuits with friends. He is quite happy with how his life has turned out.