* Post your thoughts on Evo-Devo
Evolutionary developmental biology, or "evo devo,” is a field of biology that combines the evolutionary and
developmental processes of different organisms to determine the ancestral
relationship between them. What is interesting about the field is that it
addresses both embryonic development and evolution, focusing on how change of
and between species develops. What is unique about the knowledge that has been produced
from this field is the concept that evolution alters developmental processes to
create new structures from already existing gene networks.
For example “evo devo” research led to the discovery that
the genes that are involved in making fruit flies and humans are fundamentally
the same. Crazy to the western mind! What has come out of this knowledge is a better understanding that
the same genes are used over and over again, just in different combinations and
contexts to produce incredible diversity.
*How does Darwinism matter to you?
Evolution by natural selection was the central concept Charles Darwin's work. Natural selection is considered by some evolutionists
to be the biggest factor to influence the diversity of species and their
genomes. However,
neo-Darwinists argue that natural selection does not offer a satisfactory
explanation for the source of new genetic information from which natural
selection could select. Epigenetics offer additional explanations of evolution,
focusing on research that demonstrates that what happens during the course of a
life span can affect how genes express themselves in future generations. There
is growing evidence of genes being transferred not
just vertically, from grandparents to parents to offspring, but also horizontally,
between organisms. Evidence of horizontal transfer throws a wrench in Darwins
theory and muddels are current definitions of species.
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