A speculative mechanism of quicker genetic change.
Ian Howson, None
9 December 2010
Evidence, such as that cited in the article, is begining to accumulate that genetic change may occur much faster than we generally suppose. Environmental effects on an individual may sometimes produce genetic change in their descendants. How could this be mediated? Change in allelle dominance may be a possibility. If a changed environment can produce epigenetic change in progeny such that allele dominance is altered, then rare allelles can become expressed and available for selection much quicker than we generally suppose. We don't have to wait for rare individuals to meet and mate. Thank you for a thought provoking article.
A speculative mechanism of quicker genetic change.
9 December 2010
Evidence, such as that cited in the article, is begining to accumulate that genetic change may occur much faster than we generally suppose.
Environmental effects on an individual may sometimes produce genetic change in their descendants.
How could this be mediated?
Change in allelle dominance may be a possibility.
If a changed environment can produce epigenetic change in progeny such that allele dominance is altered, then rare allelles can become expressed and available for selection much quicker than we generally suppose.
We don't have to wait for rare individuals to meet and mate.
Thank you for a thought provoking article.
Competing interests
no competing interests