Free Republic

It was originally believed that these selfish genes would not remain in populations for long periods of time. The finding could alter our understanding of how parasitic DNA affects genome evolution. Meiotic drivers, a kind of selfish gene, are indeed selfish. They are found in virtually all species’ genomes, including humans, and unjustly transfer their genetic material to more than half of their offspring, resulting in infertility and impaired organism health. Their longevity over evolutionary time was thought to be brief due to their parasitic potential, until recently. The Stowers Institute for Medical Research, in collaboration with the National Institute...