Lurking within the genomes of nearly all species—including plants, fungi, and even humans—are genes that are passed from generation to generation with no clear benefit to the organism. Called “selfish” genes, they can sometimes be harmful or even lethal. A recent study from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research sheds new light on how selfish genes “cheat” inheritance to ensure they are passed to the next generation, often at the expense of an organism’s fertility. Lurking within the genomes of nearly all species—including plants, fungi, and even humans—are genes that are passed from generation to generation with no clear benefit to the organism. Called “selfish” genes, they can sometimes be harmful or even lethal. A recent study from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research sheds new light on how selfish genes “cheat” inheritance to ensure they are passed to the next generation, often at the expense of an organism’s fertility. Evolution Molecular & Computational biology Phys.org – latest science and technology news stories
Scientists uncover principles underlying the toxicity of ‘selfish’ genes
