New Cellular Evolution Theory Rejects Darwinian Assumptions
New Cellular Evolution Theory Rejects Darwinian Assumptions: "Cellular evolution, he argues, began in a communal environment in which the loosely organized cells took shape through extensive horizontal gene transfer. Such a transfer previously had been recognized as having a minor role in evolution, but the arrival of microbial genomics, Woese says, is shedding a more accurate light. Horizontal gene transfer, he argues, has the capacity to rework entire genomes. With simple primitive entities this process can 'completely erase an organismal genealogical trace.' "