Natural selection

From PhiloWiki

What is the mechanism of natural selection? Does it drive evolution? Did it drive the origin of life?

Natural selection had a role in the origin of life

A University of California, Irvine scientist says viruses are much, much more than nasty little microbes that infect us with the flu. If he is right, they have infected all of life - with evolution.

In an astonishing set of papers and a new book, UCI virologist Luis Villarreal contends viruses are largely responsible for shaping how we look, how we speak, even how we think.

In fact, he says, they are an overlooked evolutionary force, one that has been powerfully influencing the shape of living things since life began - actually, since a little before life began.

"I'm saying they are a creative force in the evolution of all life," he said in a recent interview.

Tiny microbes make us who we are, scientist says from The Telegraph Pat Brennan

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