Evolution of dominance

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The evolution of dominance concerns the evolution of genetic dominance. The central argument, that modifier genes act upon other genes to make them dominant or recessive, and that these are then themselves subject to natural selection was first proposed by the Briton Ronald Fisher in 1928[1], and expanded upon in his book The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection[2]. However, the American Sewall Wright believed that dominance was due to physiological factors that could not be affected by modifiers. This led to a major fallout between Fisher and Wright. Subsequent advances, particularly in molecular biology, have tended to favour Wright's view without completely excluding that the Fisherian argument may in some circumstances apply.

See the review by Denis Bourguet[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Fisher, R.A. 1928. The possible modification of the response of the wild type to recurrent mutations. Am. Nat., 62: 115-126.
  2. ^ Fisher, R.A. 1930 The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection, Clarendon Press, Oxford
  3. ^ Bourguet, D. 1999 The evolution of dominance Heredity, Volume 83, Number 1, Pages 1-4