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Royal Society: What has the Modern Evolutionary Synthesis missed?

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From John S. Torday at Royal Society on the special issue edition on the (failures of) current Darwinism (aka the Modern Synthesis):

The Modern Synthesis, merging population genetics and Darwinian evolutionary gradualism, was formulated in 1942. That was long before biologists learned about the Double Helix, the role of epigenetics in embryonic development, or the molecular bases for cell and developmental biology. All these developments are missing from neo-Darwinism. Even those who practice EvoDevo do not utilize cell biology to understand evolutionary mechanisms, defaulting to random mutation and natural selection. Much in evolutionary history can be understood by introducing knowledge of cell-cell signaling for pattern formation in the combined short-term ontogeny of the individual organism and the long-term phylogenetic history of the species. Modern molecular biology facilitates understanding how and why physiologic traits have evolved. Moreover, a more contemporary approach helps us understand the evolution of multicellular organisms from unicellular protists as a continuous arc, offering insight to the ‘singularity’ of life as the leitmotif of this Special Issue of Biology. More.

Did these Royal Society people launch this broadside during the British August holidays and French long vacances?

Boy, when those toffs get back to town… but wait. When they get back to town, they might face polite people insisting on a long-overdue serious meeting.

See also: The second advent of the Royal Society’s evolution rethink last November?

Hat tip: Pos-Darwinista

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