Beyond the Gene: Critiquing the Problems of Gene-centric Evolution.

Abstract

Inheritance is a fundamental process that shapes the diversity of life on Earth. While DNA is commonly considered the primary carrier of genetic information, recent advances in molecular biology have shown that other forms of information, such as epigenetic modifications and non-coding RNAs, play important roles in inheritance. Here, we propose a theoretical framework that unifies the diverse sources of inheritance under the common concept of information. we argue that information, in its broadest sense, is the basis of inheritance.