Scientists suggest certain genes boost chances for distributing variety of traits, drive evolution
15th December 2009
Genes that don’t themselves directly affect the inherited characteristics of an organism but leave them increasingly open to variation may be a significant driving force of evolution, say two scientists from Johns Hopkins University. Their proposed amended view of evolution is based on observations of genetic patterns outside of a cell’s DNA and may better explain how organisms, including people, have adapted over hundreds of thousands of years to relatively rapidly changing environments. The researchers suggest in the study that the presence of genes that contribute to trait variability might help explain the presence of common diseases.
“In the long run, it might be a good thing to have a large spread of people who handle blood sugar differently. However, in today’s environment, people with a propensity to develop high blood sugar are at a disadvantage,” explains Johns Hopkins professor of medicine Andrew Feinberg, M.D., Ph.D., one of the study’s authors.
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 12/15.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-12/jhmi-ssc121109.php