Mitochondrial DNA: the common confusions.

Abstract

In theory, scientific discovery follows the path of putting forward a hypothesis, testing it and either accepting it as a theory or discarding it based on the outcome of testing. As it often happens, real life is more complicated than this straightforward scheme; research undergoes unexpected twists and turns, and the total body of experimental evidence often both provides support for and refutes the hypothesis in question. After protracted arguments, the focus of scientific debate eventually shifts, often without solidifying the outcome in a clearly articulated conclusion allowing each side to cling to its own subset of gathered evidence. As a consequence, old misconceptions often persist in the literature, confusing newcomers and slowing the pace of scientific discovery. In this editorial, I identify some of these outdated concepts and confusions as they relate to mtDNA, outline their historical contexts and provide criticisms.