The scientist who proposed the laws of inheritance is Gregor Mendel. Mendel conducted groundbreaking experiments on pea plants in the mid-19th century, establishing the foundational principles of genetics. His work identified dominant and recessive traits, and he formulated the concepts of segregation and independent assortment. Although his work was not fully appreciated until decades later, Mendel is now recognized as the father of modern genetics. His discoveries have had a profound influence on our understanding of heredity and the transmission of genetic information across generations.