Article by: Camilla Fezzi, on 19 July 2023, at 04:43 pm PDT

A revolution is underway in the world of biology and genetics. With the advent of revolutionary technologies such as CRISPR and other gene-editing tools, our understanding of life's fundamental processes is evolving at an unprecedented pace. As we stand at the threshold of a new era, questions are being asked about the foundations of our biological understanding. Among these queries, one has emerged as a subject of heated debate: Do we have to forget Darwin?

Charles Darwin, a 19th-century naturalist, laid the foundation for our understanding of evolution through his theory of natural selection. Darwin's work has been a cornerstone of biological sciences for over a century and a half. However, as we delve deeper into the molecular mechanics of life, is there a need to overhaul Darwin's theory or even discard it?

Before we address this, let's remind ourselves of Darwin's primary principle. He proposed that species evolve over generations through a process of natural selection, where the fittest individuals are more likely to reproduce and pass on their genes. This theory has been a robust tool for explaining the diversity of life on our planet.

In the light of modern discoveries, it is not about forgetting Darwin but about gaining a deeper understanding of evolution. For example, the discovery of epigenetic changes - alterations in gene expression triggered by environmental factors and potentially passed on to offspring - adds a new layer of complexity to our understanding of inheritance. Such mechanisms were not known in Darwin's time but do not contradict his theory. Instead, they enrich it.

Similarly, the horizontal gene transfer, where organisms acquire genes not from their ancestors but directly from other organisms, adds another layer of complexity to the principles of evolution. These mechanisms were unthinkable in Darwin's era but are now known to play a significant role in the evolution of bacterial and even some animal species.

The advent of gene-editing technologies, such as CRISPR, allows us to intervene directly in the evolutionary process. We can now potentially design organisms with desired traits rather than waiting for natural selection to take its course. But does this mean we are superseding Darwin's theory? Not necessarily. We are merely gaining control over the mechanisms that drive genetic variation, the raw material upon which natural selection acts.

Therefore, it is not about forgetting Darwin, but about expanding on his theories. Darwin's theory of natural selection remains a fundamental principle of biology. However, we now understand that the mechanisms of evolution are more complex than Darwin could have imagined.

What we are witnessing is a broadening of the evolutionary landscape. We have started to realize that there are more mechanisms at play than just natural selection, and some of them operate on different scales and timelines. This does not mean that Darwin was wrong, but rather that our understanding of life is becoming more nuanced.

Many of the recent advances in biology and genetics can be seen as extensions of Darwin's theory of evolution, not contradictions. For example, gene editing with CRISPR is, in a sense, a form of accelerated, guided evolution. It gives us the power to generate the kind of genetic variety that natural selection can act upon, but at a pace and direction that we determine.

In conclusion, the question should not be "Do we have to forget Darwin?" but "How can we expand on Darwin's work?" Darwin's theories remain relevant and pivotal in our understanding of life. The new discoveries and technologies do not replace Darwin; they enrich our understanding of the complexity of life and the mechanisms of evolution.

As we continue to explore the intricacies of genetics and evolution, we are not discarding our predecessors' knowledge but building upon it. We are standing on the shoulders of giants like Darwin, and from this vantage point, we can see further into the intricate mechanisms of life. We are not forgetting Darwin. Instead, we are continuing his journey of discovery, appreciating the complexity of life, and marveling at the grandeur of evolution.

What are some other ways we can expand on Darwin's work?

Expanding on Darwin's work means embracing new discoveries and integrating them into the broader understanding of evolution. Here are a few ways we can do this:

1. Genomic Studies: With the advent of whole-genome sequencing, we now have the capacity to study the genetic makeup of species in unprecedented detail. Comparative genomics can allow us to trace evolutionary relationships and understand how different organisms have evolved over time. This can provide a more detailed picture of the evolutionary tree of life, expanding on Darwin's concept of common descent.

2. Epigenetics:The study of changes in organisms caused by the modification of gene expression, rather than alteration of the genetic code itself, adds an additional layer to our understanding of heredity. This not only involves the study of how environmental changes can influence these epigenetic modifications but also how these changes might be inherited over generations.

3. Ecological and Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Eco-Evo-Devo): This multidisciplinary field integrates developmental biology with ecological and evolutionary biology. It explores how environmental factors can influence developmental processes to drive evolutionary change. This is a complexity that Darwin wouldn't have been aware of but certainly adds depth to our understanding of evolution.

4. Co-evolution and Symbiosis: Darwin's work primarily focused on how individual species evolve. However, we now know that species do not evolve in isolation. The concept of co-evolution, where two or more species affect each other's evolution, expands the scope of Darwin's work. Studying symbiotic relationships, where species live in close association, often benefitting each other, can provide further insights into the complexity of evolution.

5. Cultural Evolution: While Darwin's work was focused on biological evolution, the principles of evolution can also be applied to the study of culture. Cultural evolution looks at how ideas, technologies, and social behaviors change over time, drawing parallels with biological evolution.

6. Artificial Life and Digital Evolution: With advancements in computer technology, we can now simulate evolution in digital environments. These simulations can provide insights into the principles of evolution in a way that can be more controllable and observable than in biological systems.

In summary, expanding on Darwin's work involves integrating new discoveries and technologies to achieve a more complete and nuanced understanding of evolution. It's not about replacing Darwin's theories, but using them as a solid foundation upon which we can build.

"Thus, from the war of nature, from famine and death, the most exalted object which we are capable of conceiving, namely, the production of the higher animals, directly follows. There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved."
― Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species