{"id":5195,"date":"2026-08-02T13:43:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-02T12:43:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zawaya24.com\/en\/?p=5195"},"modified":"2026-08-02T13:43:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-02T12:43:42","slug":"epigenetic-inheritance-revives-lamarcks-role-in-modern-evolution-theory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zawaya24.com\/en\/epigenetic-inheritance-revives-lamarcks-role-in-modern-evolution-theory\/","title":{"rendered":"Epigenetic inheritance revives Lamarck’s role in modern evolution theory"},"content":{"rendered":"

More than two centuries after Jean-Baptiste Lamarck proposed that organisms could pass acquired traits to their offspring, new scientific evidence is prompting researchers to reassess that idea. The renewed interest centers on epigenetic inheritance<\/strong>, which some evolutionary biologists argue can explain biological observations that the traditional Darwinian framework does not fully address.<\/p>\n

In an essay published on July 28 in The Conversation<\/em>, Professor Pim Edelaar, an evolutionary biologist at the Universidad Pablo de Olavide in Spain, argued that Lamarck’s ideas deserve renewed consideration. He wrote that evidence from multiple species suggests organisms can transmit certain environmentally induced adaptations across generations without altering their DNA sequence.<\/p>\n

The growing body of research focuses on epigenetics, a field that studies heritable molecular changes affecting gene activity rather than genetic code. Experiments involving the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans<\/em> have shown that exposure to viral infections, starvation, or extreme temperatures triggers the production of small RNA molecules that help the organism adapt. These molecules can be passed to offspring through reproduction, allowing future generations to inherit improved resilience for several generations.<\/p>\n

Comparable findings have emerged in numerous plant and animal species. Rice plants exposed to cold conditions develop lasting resistance through chemical markers attached to their genes. Researchers say these epigenetic changes have enabled rice to expand beyond its tropical origins into cooler regions. Such discoveries challenge the long-standing assumption that epigenetic marks are always erased during reproduction.<\/p>\n

Professor Edelaar argues that these mechanisms do not replace Darwin’s theory of natural selection but instead complement it. In his view, organisms actively respond to environmental pressures, creating inherited biological changes that natural selection can subsequently act upon. This perspective broadens the evolutionary framework rather than overturning its foundations.<\/p>\n

Support for this view appears to be increasing within parts of the scientific community. Professor Richard Buggs, an evolutionary genomics researcher at Queen Mary University of London, told The Telegraph<\/em> that acceptance of inherited epigenetic effects has grown in recent years. He said many biology textbooks no longer reflect current scientific understanding and noted that major scientific conferences have examined the accumulating evidence.<\/p>\n

Researchers also point to practical applications. In Australia, scientists are exposing corals to controlled heat stress in an effort to stimulate epigenetic responses that may improve their resistance to warming oceans. Agricultural researchers are exploring whether exposing crops to environmental stresses or pests can strengthen future generations. Scientists are also investigating whether parental behaviors and environmental conditions could influence the risk of disorders such as obesity or addiction in descendants, potentially opening new avenues for long-term public health prevention.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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