Evolution in Four Dimensions
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"An individual's personal experience can influence the characteristics of his or her offspring. Some of the ways in which this happens would have seemed heretical in the past. Eva Jablonka and Marion Lamb's stimulating new book successfully challenges some of the old orthodoxies. I recommend it warmly to anybody with a serious interest in developmental and evolutionary biology."--Sir Patrick Bateson, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, author of "Design for a Life: How Behavior and Personality Develop"
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"An individual's personal experience can influence the characteristics of his or her offspring. Some of the ways in which this happens would have seemed heretical in the past. Eva Jablonka and Marion Lamb's stimulating new book successfully challenges some of the old orthodoxies. I recommend it warmly to anybody with a serious interest in developmental and evolutionary biology."--Sir Patrick Bateson, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, author of *Design for a Life: How Behavior and Personality Develop* "Another valuable perspective to the discussion... I found it refreshing to read a science book that is a conscious attempt at good literature." Nature "As this important book by Eva Jablonka and Marion J. Lamb shows, the twentieth-century 'neo-Darwins' told the evolutionary story in their own particular way, and some of the richnes of evolution that their forebear had described fell into neglect." The New Republic "There have been rumblings for some time to the effect that the neo-Darwinian synthesis of the early twentieth century is incomplete and due for a major revision... Evolution in Four Dimensions is the most recent addition to this genre, and contributes yet another valuable perspective to the discussion." Massimo Pigliucci Nature
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The content and format of this book are a little unusual, so we want to begin by explaining what it is about and how it is organized. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
The content and format of this book are a little unusual, so we want to begin by explaining what it is about and how it is organized. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is an excellent introduction to several complex areas of research. To briefly summarise, Jablonka and Lamb make a persuasive case that cumulative evolution has produced three parallel "lamarckian" hereditary systems in addition to the genetic system we are all so familiar with. The authors do a good job of summarising the current state of affairs in each area before presenting their own theories (their historical discussions of the many revisions to evolutionary theory also provide clear summaries). As the subject is so controversial this book is inevitably a bit of a polemic, but the tone is measured and calm throughout, and copious examples and scientific references are provided to support the authors' case.
I was particularly impressed that the authors generously devote a lot of space to the arguments of their opponents, in the form of a series of dialogues between the authors and an imaginary proponent of conventional gene-centred evolution. These dialogues are in my view the best part of the book, and are even amusing at times (quite a big achievement for a science book!) Finally, the authors do what many writers should do but don't, which is to bring up holes in their theory and then suggest research which could plug these gaps. They even find some time to discuss the social implications of a "four-dimensional" approach to evolution.
If you want a book about the future of evolutionary theory that's evenhanded but still puts forward interesting new ideas, I highly recommend this book.
I was particularly impressed that the authors generously devote a lot of space to the arguments of their opponents, in the form of a series of dialogues between the authors and an imaginary proponent of conventional gene-centred evolution. These dialogues are in my view the best part of the book, and are even amusing at times (quite a big achievement for a science book!) Finally, the authors do what many writers should do but don't, which is to bring up holes in their theory and then suggest research which could plug these gaps. They even find some time to discuss the social implications of a "four-dimensional" approach to evolution.
If you want a book about the future of evolutionary theory that's evenhanded but still puts forward interesting new ideas, I highly recommend this book.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Eva Jablonka's "Evolution in four dimensions" is a definitely very interesting book, which should be readable by anybody with a minimum knowledge of biology. I was a University lecturer in a related area, and decided to buy it after reading several of her scientific papers. Jablonka's sense of humour is evident and enjoyable. Anna Zeligowski's funny drawings are in my opinion sometimes more fun than they are really hepful, and the small size they get in the paperback does not make them full justice. But they do contribute to the pleasure of reading, and sometimes to comprehension as well. The "dialogues" ending the parts of the book are a nice and elegantly executed idea. All in all, a very enjoyable and thought-provoking book, and for some can be an introduction to Jablonka's papers, some of which are freely available in the net.
Luis CS
Lisbon, Portugal
Luis CS
Lisbon, Portugal
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Summary
Thesis: Jablonka and Lambs thesis is that evolution is taking place in four distinct areas: genetic, epigenetic, behavioral and symbolic. They refute the standard dogma, that evolution is only possible on stochastic changes of the gene. The picture is a lot more complex as not only the phenotypes of nature have evolved but also the mechanisms that produce them.
The way the modern synthesis came into place needs to be looked as under a historical perspective. The idea of evolution was certainly in the air during the late 19th century. Unfortunately, no one including Darwin had a clear idea about how the mechanisms work. Instrumental in paving the way for the modern dogma was Weissman, who categorically denied an influence of the phenotype to the genotype. At the turn of the century Mendel hit the scene and it was clear that there must be something like a double stranded gene. During 1952 Crick and Watson discovered the double helix structure of the DNA. Furthermore it was discovered that radiation can change DNA. Hence it was assumed that all change leading to changes in the DNA and phenotype are stochastic events that are then selected by nature.
However, it was long understood that epigenetic mechanisms are at work in the forming of embryos. During embryo formation all cells have got the same DNA. Yet proteins formed are completely different during the formation of the embryo - otherwise it would be impossible to have a structured organism forming. The basic questions that was not asked - if these mechanisms are at work for the formation of embryos in any vertebrate and other multi cell organisms - why should they not be used by nature to change an organism over several generations and adapt to volatile environment?
These epigenetic changes are now well documented in many processes - while the new trend is still very young. Cancer might be related to epigenetic changes and could promise a new route into curing it. Viruses contain proteins that change 100.000 times faster than the rest of the organisms to provide an ever changing surface for attacking antibodies. Human's size is statistically dependent on different nutrition during pregnancy of mothers. Undernourishment can create smaller size babies who do not flourish well in rich environments. A high incidence of diabetes B is linked to it.
However, even on the behavioral front changes can happen. This is certainly so in the animal world, but even documented in the human world. Humans consume milk for a few thousand years only. In countries with higher milk consumption the population has adapted to be able to digest lactose sugars. This has happened particularly in northern Europe, less so in Southern Europe or Asia and Africa.
They then also discuss symbolic evolution. They are severely criticizing Dawkins concept of a meme. An egoistic concept that is jumping from human to human seems a bit imposable and one sided. Rather it seems that concepts themselves undergo an evolution. They are less static than a gene and more flexible, yet they are clearly able to influence the environment via the human brain.
Thesis: Jablonka and Lambs thesis is that evolution is taking place in four distinct areas: genetic, epigenetic, behavioral and symbolic. They refute the standard dogma, that evolution is only possible on stochastic changes of the gene. The picture is a lot more complex as not only the phenotypes of nature have evolved but also the mechanisms that produce them.
The way the modern synthesis came into place needs to be looked as under a historical perspective. The idea of evolution was certainly in the air during the late 19th century. Unfortunately, no one including Darwin had a clear idea about how the mechanisms work. Instrumental in paving the way for the modern dogma was Weissman, who categorically denied an influence of the phenotype to the genotype. At the turn of the century Mendel hit the scene and it was clear that there must be something like a double stranded gene. During 1952 Crick and Watson discovered the double helix structure of the DNA. Furthermore it was discovered that radiation can change DNA. Hence it was assumed that all change leading to changes in the DNA and phenotype are stochastic events that are then selected by nature.
However, it was long understood that epigenetic mechanisms are at work in the forming of embryos. During embryo formation all cells have got the same DNA. Yet proteins formed are completely different during the formation of the embryo - otherwise it would be impossible to have a structured organism forming. The basic questions that was not asked - if these mechanisms are at work for the formation of embryos in any vertebrate and other multi cell organisms - why should they not be used by nature to change an organism over several generations and adapt to volatile environment?
These epigenetic changes are now well documented in many processes - while the new trend is still very young. Cancer might be related to epigenetic changes and could promise a new route into curing it. Viruses contain proteins that change 100.000 times faster than the rest of the organisms to provide an ever changing surface for attacking antibodies. Human's size is statistically dependent on different nutrition during pregnancy of mothers. Undernourishment can create smaller size babies who do not flourish well in rich environments. A high incidence of diabetes B is linked to it.
However, even on the behavioral front changes can happen. This is certainly so in the animal world, but even documented in the human world. Humans consume milk for a few thousand years only. In countries with higher milk consumption the population has adapted to be able to digest lactose sugars. This has happened particularly in northern Europe, less so in Southern Europe or Asia and Africa.
They then also discuss symbolic evolution. They are severely criticizing Dawkins concept of a meme. An egoistic concept that is jumping from human to human seems a bit imposable and one sided. Rather it seems that concepts themselves undergo an evolution. They are less static than a gene and more flexible, yet they are clearly able to influence the environment via the human brain.
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