Epigenetics and the “Drift-Barrier Hypothesis"
The principle that "selection on gene-level mutation rates cannot overcome genetic drift" underscores the role of random chance in shaping evolutionary trajectories, particularly within smaller populations. This principle largely rests on the premise that genetic mutations occur randomly and at relatively stable rates, making them susceptible to the whims of genetic drift. The "drift-barrier hypothesis" suggests that there's a limit to how much natural selection can reduce mutation rates. This limit is set by the genetic drift. In essence, when the selective advantage of further reducing the mutation rate becomes smaller than the random fluctuations caused by genetic drift, selection becomes ineffective. Therefore, genetic drift can constrain the ability of selection to fine-tune mutation rates. However, the burgeoning field of epigenetics introduces a nuanced perspective, suggesting that this dynamic might be more malleable than previou...