Epigenetics, revisited (Introduction)

by David Turell , Monday, September 19, 2011, 18:22 (4793 days ago) @ dhw

David has drawn our attention to an important study of epigenetic mechanisms in plants:
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> http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110916152401.htm
 
> The study seems to suggest that mutations can take place in plants, and possibly in the animal kingdom as well, independently of environmental pressures. Previously, we've talked of epigenetic changes in terms of adaptation ... i.e. the species remains basically the same. But if the changes are spontaneous and can change both form and function, doesn't this fit in perfectly well with Darwin's concept of innovation caused by mutations (of course he didn't know about DNA or epigenetics)? It's true that if these changes can be relatively quick and dramatic, they would knock his gradualism on the head, but I have never understood why he regarded gradualism as so central to the theory anyway. Are the Scripps researchers on the way to solving the innovation problem?-Previously we have considered Darwin's approach as passive: random chance mutations and then a choice thru natural selection. Here we see active mutation not necessarily as an adaptation to environmental pressures. Scripps has shown a little more of the unravelling of the mystery of the epigenetic mechanisms, and again raises my contention that evolution is pre-planned by the UI. If organisms can partially or completely plan their own futures, then evolution is not passive!