In order to formulate the Fundamental Theorem of Natural Selection, Fisher defined the average excess and average effect of a gene substitution. Finding these notions to be somewhat opaque, some authors have recommended reformulating Fisher's ideas in terms of covariance and regression, which are classical concepts of statistics. We argue that Fisher intended his two averages to express a distinction between correlation and causation. On this view the average effect is a specific weighted average of the actual phenotypic changes that result from physically changing the allelic states of homologous genes. We show that the statistical and causal conceptions of the average effect, perceived as inconsistent by Falconer, can be reconciled if certain relationships between the genotype frequencies and non-additive residuals are conserved. There are certain theory-internal considerations favoring Fisher's original formulation in terms of causality; for example, the frequency-weighted mean of the average effects equaling zero at each locus becomes a derivable consequence rather than an arbitrary constraint. More broadly, Fisher's distinction between correlation and causation is of critical importance to gene-trait mapping studies and the foundations of evolutionary biology.

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Evolution and the genetics of populations. Vol. 1. Genetic and biométrie foundations.

The causal meaning of Fisher's average effect

Language and the African American Child: Appendix A: List of participants

/pdf/modelo-de-analise-de-populacoes-de-plantas-daninhas-ylte464mk8.pdf

Modelo de análise de populações de plantas daninhas resistentes a herbicidas

Human evolution sits at several important thresholds. In organic evolution, interplay between exogenous environmental and genetic factors rendered new phenotypes at rates limited by genetic variation. The interplay took place on adaptive fitness landscapes determined by correspondence of genetic and environmental relationships. Human evolution involved important emergences that altered the adaptive landscape: language, writing, organized societies, science, and the internet. These endogenous factors ushered in transformative periods leading to more rapidly evolving emergences. I explore the impact of development of emerging biotransformative technologies capable of being applied to effect self-genetic modification and artificial intelligence-augmented cognition on the evolutionary landscape of phenotypes important to cognitive plasticity. Interaction effects will yield unanticipated emergences resulting in hyperrealm adaptive landscapes with more rapid evolutionary processes that feed back upon more fundamental levels while vastly outpacing organic evolution. Emerging technologies exist that are likely to impact the evolution of cognitive plasticity in humans in ways and at rates that will lead to societal upheaval. I show that the theoretical contribution of organic evolution in future human evolution is expected to become comparatively insignificant relative to that made by endogenous environmental factors such as external cognition aids and manipulation of the human genome. The results support the conclusion of a strong recommendation of a moratorium on the adoption of any technology capable of completely altering the course of human evolution.

/pdf/who-are-we-and-who-or-what-do-we-want-to-become-an-22jqs1ukih.pdf

Who are We, and Who (or What) Do We Want to Become? An Evolutionary Perspective on Biotransformative Technologies

Orokles (nature) es kornyezet (nurture) viszonya a viselkedessel foglalkozo tudomanyok egyik legelcsepeltebb, megis legkevesbe jol megvalaszolt problemaja. Altalanosan elfogadott, hogy a kornyezet es a biologiai adottsagok egyuttesen mukodnek kozre a fejlodes hattereben, az „is” valasz azonban gyakran felszines evidencia marad. A tanulmany kritikailag elemzi azt a szemleletet, amely a fejlodest befolyasolo biologiai es kornyezeti tenyezoket tombszeruen dichotom, egymastol fuggetlen kettossegkent fogja fel, es a pszichologia tarstudomanyainak (etologia, viselkedesgenetika, evoluciotan) kulcsteruletein sorra veszi azokat az ervrendszereket, amelyek tulmutatnak a biologiai determinizmus es a kornyezetelvuseg leegyszerusito magyarazatain. A tanulmany amellett ervel, hogy mind teljesebben lebontsuk a „termeszetet” es „kornyezetet” szetvalaszto falat, es meghaladjuk az ezzel jaro berogzott elofelteves-rendszert.

Evolution and the genetics of populations. Vol. 1. Genetic and biométrie foundations.

Citations

The causal meaning of Fisher's average effect

Language and the African American Child: Appendix A: List of participants

Modelo de análise de populações de plantas daninhas resistentes a herbicidas

Who are We, and Who (or What) Do We Want to Become? An Evolutionary Perspective on Biotransformative Technologies

Öröklés – környezet: mit is jelent az „is”?

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