The Fundamental Theorem of Natural Selection: A Persistent Puzzle in Evolutionary Genetics
A new perspective article revisits the utility of Fisher’s Fundamental Theorem of Natural Selection, a cornerstone concept in evolutionary biology. While the theorem’s precise mathematical formulation has been debated, the analysis argues it retains significant biological value. Its key prediction—that additive genetic variance for fitness should be depleted in populations at equilibrium under selection—highlights a major paradox: empirical studies consistently find high levels of additive variance in fitness traits, with little evidence for the non-additive variance that might be expected to remain.
Why it might matter to you: For a geneticist focused on functional genomics and mutational profiling, this work reframes a core theoretical problem into a pressing empirical question. It directly challenges assumptions about the genetic architecture of fitness, which underpins models used in GWAS, polygenic risk scoring, and predicting adaptive responses. Understanding why additive variance persists could refine how you interpret genetic associations and model evolutionary trajectories in your research.
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