Evolution Is Evolving

[TheRedneckProfessor]

New study shows genomic changes can occur within weeks in response to selective pressures within the environment. 

 

https://phys.org/news/2022-03-widespread-physical-genomic-environment-weeks.html?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email

[pantheory]

Sounds very interesting. I've read of short-term adaptation via epigenetics but this is not saying that. IMO the link summary was written for sensationalism. The 60% genetic changes stated based upon genetic drift is not well explained. A non-scientist could interpret this as 60% different genetics, which of course isn't anything like that.

 

The implication that evolutionary changes might occur more quickly than presently thought in a changing environment, is a very important implication. Of equal importance is how and why these genetic changes mechanically occur.  But it possibly could take centuries to do the same kind of study for longer-living, larger animals. 

 

Still, the study summary seems very interesting and I would expect to see a number of follow-up studies in the near future to confirm this study, and some could have other twists and turns to them.