UNSPECIFIED (2001) The complexity of evolution. In: NATO-Advanced-Study-Institute on Nonlinear Dynamics in the Life and Social Sciences, APR 25-MAY 06, 2000, LOMONOSOV MOSCOW STATE UNIV, MOSCOW, RUSSIA.

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Abstract

In spite of its beauty and simplicity, the concept of the selfish gene fails to capture the full complexity of biological morphogenesis and evolution. The gene does not provide a "blueprint" for morphogenesis. Instead, the relationship between gene and organism is closer to that between a play and its actors. The gene provides a mere outline, the final performance arising out of the interaction between the unique ensemble of acting processes, the environmental stage, and the historical contingencies of the species which have conspired to locate it in the present (for extinct species, this has failed). Particularly, in animals the "read-out" of genes is organised by the egg architecture and only happens during and after the phylotypic stage (neurula for the vertebrates) - so the egg is like the tape player, and each model is different. As such, morphogenesis is determined as much by environment and by context as by its genes. Evolution shapes the nature of the genes by exploiting recombination rather than new mutation; historical contingency drives natural selection. Both reductionism and anti-reductionism fail to capture the essence of the evolutionary process. Instead, a new metaphor, that of 'Ant Country' is described, which more fairly reflects the non-deterministic, irreducible, contextual nature of the evolutionary process.

Item Type:	Conference Item (UNSPECIFIED)
Subjects:	Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology Q Science > QA Mathematics Q Science B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Series Name:	NATO SCIENCE SERIES, SERIES A: LIFE SCIENCE
Journal or Publication Title:	NONLINEAR DYNAMICS IN THE LIFE AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Publisher:	I O S PRESS
ISBN:	1-58603-020-5
ISSN:	1387-6686
Editor:	Sulis, W and Trofimova, I
Date:	2001
Volume:	320
Number of Pages:	11
Page Range:	pp. 349-359
Publication Status:	Published
Title of Event:	NATO-Advanced-Study-Institute on Nonlinear Dynamics in the Life and Social Sciences
Location of Event:	LOMONOSOV MOSCOW STATE UNIV, MOSCOW, RUSSIA
Date(s) of Event:	APR 25-MAY 06, 2000
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/11440

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