Answer:
Without the support of modern genetics and molecular biology, Mendel was able to discern fundamental rules of inheritance that still hold true today.
This sentence from the passage supports the idea that Mendel's discoveries were the result of hard work rather than chance. It highlights the fact that Mendel was able to discern fundamental rules of inheritance through his own efforts, even without the support of modern genetics and molecular biology. This suggests that Mendel's discoveries were the result of intentional and deliberate experimentation and observation, rather than luck or happenstance.