Evolution by phenotype: A biomedical perspective

Kenneth M. Weiss, Anne V. Buchanan

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Genes are widely assumed to play a major role in the epidemiology of complex chronic diseases, yet attempts to characterize the genetic architecture of such traits have been frustrating. Understanding that evolution works by screening phenotypes rather than genotypes can help explain the source of this frustration. Complex traits are usually the result of long-term, often subtle, gene-environment interactions, such that individual life histories may be as important as population histories in predicting and explaining these traits. Recognizing that the problem is not due to technological limitations can help temper expectations and guide the design of future work in biomedical genetics, by allowing us to focus on better approaches where they exist and on those problems most likely to yield a genetic solution. We may even be forced to re-conceive complex biological causation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)159-182
Number of pages24
JournalPerspectives in Biology and Medicine
Volume46
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Issues, ethics and legal aspects
  • Health Policy
  • History and Philosophy of Science

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