Move to the EES

The Neo-Darwinian synthesis (aka the Modern Synthesis) of evolutionary biology, combined Darwin's natural selection with Mendel's genetics. This framework posits that evolution progresses through the gradual accumulation of random mutations filtered by natural selection . This model has faced increasing scrutiny , prompting the emergence of the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES), a more inclusive framework that incorporates recent discoveries in fields like epigenetics. Challenging the Randomness Paradigm Neo-Darwinism emphasizes the randomness of mutations as the fuel for evolutionary change. However, the EES challenges this assumption by highlighting the role of non-random factors, particularly epigenetic modifications. Epigenetics refers to changes in gene expression that do not alter the underlying DNA sequence. These modifications, often triggered by environmental stimuli, can be inherited across generations, providing a mechanism for directed adaptat...

The human brain, an organ of unparalleled complexity, has long been a source of fascination and inquiry. Its evolution, a journey spanning millions of years, has endowed us with unique cognitive abilities, setting us apart from all other species. The journal article "Unraveling mechanisms of human brain evolution" delves into the intricate genetic, epigenetic, and transcriptomic factors that have shaped this remarkable organ. While the article primarily focuses on elucidating the mechanisms driving human brain evolution, it indirectly raises questions about the traditional neo-Darwinian framework, suggesting a need for a more nuanced understanding of evolutionary processes. Neo-Darwinism: A Brief Overview Neo-Darwinism, the modern synthesis of Darwinian evolution with Mendelian genetics, posits that evolution proceeds primarily through the gradual accumulation of small, random genetic mutations. These mutations are then subject to natural selection, with benefici...

The evolution of complex organs like the eye has long been a subject of fascination and debate. While neo-Darwinism, the prevailing evolutionary theory for much of the 20th century, provides a framework for understanding this process, the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES) offers a more nuanced and comprehensive perspective. This essay will explore how the EES enriches our understanding of eye development by incorporating factors beyond the gene-centric focus of neo-Darwinism. Neo-Darwinism and the Evolution of the Eye Neo-Darwinism posits that evolution occurs primarily through the gradual accumulation of random genetic mutations that are then filtered by natural selection. In the context of eye development, this means that small, incremental changes in genes over millions of years led to the complex structures we see today. This view is supported by the existence of a wide range of light-sensitive organs in different organisms, from simple photoreceptor cells to the so...