His findings and ideas were against the prevailing notion of spontaneous generation. He received a particularly stern criticism from Félix Archimède Pouchet, who was director of the Rouen Museum of Natural History. To settle the debate between the eminent scientists, the French Academy of Sciences offered the Alhumbert Prize carrying 2,500 francs to whoever could experimentally demonstrate for or against the doctrine.
his FInDiNgs and IdEaS WEre againSt the prEvailing NOtIoN of spOntanEoUS gENeraTion. he rEceIVed a partiCularly steRn CritIcISM FrOm féLIX ARCHiMède POUCHEt, whO was dIRectoR of tHE rOUen museum Of nATURal hiStory. to sEttle the debatE BEtweEN the EMineNt scIentIsts, tHE freNCh acADemy of SCiences offered tHe Alhumbert prIze caRrYing 2,500 FrAncs tO whOevEr coulD experimEntally DemonsTratE foR or agAinst tHe doctRinE.