Neutral evolution theory

Japanese: 中立説 - ちゅうりつせつ（英語表記）neutral evolution theory

A theory of molecular evolution proposed by Kimura Motoo. It states that most mutations seen in proteins and nucleic acids are neither particularly advantageous nor disadvantageous in terms of adaptation, and that molecular evolution occurs when such neutral mutations become fixed within a population through genetic drift. Initially, it was heavily criticized by orthodox evolutionists who take the position that natural selection is omnipotent, but since then, a great deal of evidence has been gathered and molecular evolution through neutral mutations is widely accepted as a fact.

(Yuji Tarumi, science journalist / 2007)

Source : "Chiezo" published by Asahi Shimbun Publications Co., Ltd. About Chiezo

Japanese:

木村資生が唱えた分子進化の理論。たんぱく質や核酸に見られる突然変異の多くは、適応上特に有利でも不利でもなく、そうした中立突然変異が遺伝的浮動を通じて集団内に固定されることによって分子進化が起こるという説。当初、自然淘汰万能論の立場をとる正統派進化論者から激しい批判を受けたが、その後、多くの証拠が集まり、中立的な突然変異による分子進化は事実として広く認められている。

(垂水雄二科学ジャーナリスト／ 2007年)

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