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UNPREDICTABILITY. “Nature’s systems are not predictable because the effect of Nature’s feedback loops is non-linear. A nonlinear relationship is one in which the cause does not produce a proportional effect.  These non-linear relationships result from the systems feedback mechanisms which are, in turn, usually driven by unpredictable influences external to the organism being affected.” https://lnkd.in/gA5rxGc View in LinkedIn

GENE-CENTRICITY. “Missing pieces include how physical development influences the generation of variation (developmental bias); how the environment directly shapes organisms’ traits (plasticity); how organisms modify environments (niche construction); and how organisms transmit more than genes across generations (extra-genetic inheritance). For Standard Evolutionary Theory, these phenomena are just outcomes of evolution. For the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis, they are also causes.” http://www.nature.com/news/does-evolutionary-theory-need-a-rethink-1.16080 View in LinkedIn

CORE OBJECTION. “In our view, this ‘gene-centric’ focus fails to capture the full gamut of processes that direct evolution.” http://www.nature.com/news/does-evolutionary-theory-need-a-rethink-1.16080 View in LinkedIn

STANDARD EVOLUTIONARY THEORY (SET). "New variation arises through random genetic mutation; inheritance occurs through DNA; and natural selection is the sole cause of adaptation, the process by which organisms become well-suited to their environments. In this view, the complexity of biological development — the changes that occur as an organism grows and ages — are of secondary, even minor, importance.” http://www.nature.com/news/does-evolutionary-theory-need-a-rethink-1.16080 View in LinkedIn

CHANGE HURTS. “Does evolutionary theory need a rethink? Researchers are divided over what processes should be considered fundamental." "YES, URGENTLY — Kevin Laland and colleagues." "NO, ALL IS WELL — Gregory A. Wray, Hopi E. Hoekstra and colleagues.” https://lnkd.in/gninbRv View in LinkedIn

CHANGE RESISTERS. “Yet the mere mention of the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis often evokes an emotional, even hostile, reaction among evolutionary biologists. Too often, vital discussions descend into acrimony, with accusations of muddle or misrepresentation. Perhaps haunted by the spectre of intelligent design, evolutionary biologists wish to show a united front to those hostile to science.” https://lnkd.in/gninbRv View in LinkedIn

CORE ASSUMPTIONS. “We hold that organisms are constructed in development, not simply ‘programmed’ to develop by genes. Living things do not evolve to fit into pre-existing environments, but co-construct and coevolve with their environments, in the process changing the structure of ecosystems.” http://www.nature.com/news/does-evolutionary-theory-need-a-rethink-1.16080 View in LinkedIn

REVISION. “The number of biologists calling for change in how evolution is conceptualized is growing rapidly. Strong support comes from allied disciplines, particularly developmental biology, but also genomics, epigenetics, ecology and social science. We contend that evolutionary biology needs revision if it is to benefit fully from these other disciplines. The data supporting our position gets stronger every day.” http://www.nature.com/news/does-evolutionary-theory-need-a-rethink-1.16080 View in LinkedIn

NEWTHINK. “Some of us first met to discuss these advances six years ago. In the time since, as members of an interdisciplinary team, we have worked intensively to develop a broader framework, termed the extended evolutionary synthesis (EES), and to flesh out its structure, assumptions and predictions. In essence, this synthesis maintains that important drivers of evolution, ones that cannot be reduced to genes, must be woven into the very fabric of evolutionary theory.” (2014 paper) https://lnkd.in/gninbRv View in LinkedIn

MORE THAN JUST GENES. “New data pouring out of adjacent fields are starting to undermine this narrow stance. An alternative vision of evolution is beginning to crystallize, in which the processes by which organisms grow and develop are recognized as causes of evolution.” https://lnkd.in/gninbRv View in LinkedIn