Epigenetics and genetic determinism

História, Ciências, Saúde-Manguinhos

Hernán A. Burbano¹ 

[1] ,Universidad Nacional de Colombia Ciudad Universitaria Department of Biology Bogota,Colombia

关键词: epigenetics;    genetic determinism;    gene-centrism;    epigenética;    determinismo genético;    genecentrismo;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0104-59702006000400004

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

This paper posits that the gene-centered viewpoint of the organism (gene-centrism) is not enough to explain biological complexity. Organisms are not completely determined by their genomes; rather, living beings can be seen as interpreters or intentional systems. Epigenetics is the framework that allows the avoidance of gene-centrism and permits the emergence of a more holistic standpoint where determination and novelty can coexist, as shown with examples taken from developmental biology and macromolecules folding. In summary, as P. Medawar and J. Medawar wrote: "Genetics proposes; epigenetics disposes."

【 授权许可】

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