Speaker
Description
In recent years it has become increasingly apparent that non-genetic forms of heredity exist in a wide variety of organisms. Furthermore, these “extended” forms of heredity can have interesting and important effects on how evolution by natural selection proceeds. Parallel to these findings has been the development of ideas from evo-devo, niche construction theory, and theory related to other “constructive” processes in evolution, with many of the researchers involved now calling for a revision or extension of the Modern Synthesis of Evolutionary Biology. In this talk I will give my own view of these issues by attempting to put all of the recent arguments within a common theoretical perspective. My goal in doing so is to clarify what both sides of the debate are saying so that a more productive dialogue can be had.
