Lamarckian mechanisms as developmental bias and their Darwinian base – descriptive versus explanatory biology (full version)

Abstract

The article points out the main obstacles in the discussion of Lamarckian mechanisms, resulting from overly persisted beliefs, habits and understatement. 'Lamarckian mechanisms' are those that create 'non-random' changes (in the aspect of adaptation), and even 'resulting from instruction', and these changes become evolutionary. To avoid widespread prejudices a permanent stress is needed that Lamarckian mechanisms are an effect of Darwinian mechanisms but this stress is not enough visible. The term 'Lamarckism' has two meanings: proper - that adaptive and inherited changes can be induced by environment, but typically it is understood as irrational believing that evolutionary changes are adaptive without necessity of help of Darwinian mechanisms, in this case it is not coherent with the term 'Lamarckian mechanisms' and has small base in Lamarck's view, it arisen from too shallow interpretation of Lamarck. In the theme 'inheritance of acquired characters' a few steps to evolutionary change is indicated, which typically are omitted in the description. Old such descriptions need rebuilding in a new coherent system of notions but to create such system a theory is necessary. The Lamarckian dimension of evolution protrudes beyond the basics of Modern Synthesis however necessity to change the name of the synthesis to Extended Evolutionary Synthesis is discretionary decision. It would be obligatory, when the Modern Synthesis will be treated as typical theory derived from specified assumptions when its assumptions are extended. The article points to the growing need to pay more attention to the precision of definition, specification of assumptions and abstract inference, as deficiencies in these areas are the main cause of misunderstanding and a brake on progress. Unfortunately, they are not appreciated in biology, and even 'speculations' are considered undesirable.

Cancer and Chaos and the Complex Network Model of a Multicellular Organism

“…“Genomes chaotic reorganization is crucial for the surviving of the system.” This quote was already mentioned in Section 1.3 from [ 69 ]. The quote means that genome chaos helps a system’s survival, but an explosion to deterministic chaos in the view of half-chaos is a model of death (Darwinian elimination).…”

“…Now, it is referred to as “developmental bias” [ 66 , 67 ]. In both cases, this caused widespread discussions [ 68 , 69 , 70 ] related to the ideological foundations of the rationality of explaining these phenomena.…”

“…As such, it is a Lamarckian mechanism, as discussed in [ 62 ]. Using the term “Lamarckian” is dangerous because it is typically understood in an incorrect manner, as shown in [ 69 , 70 ].…”