It’s been said metaphorically that too much focus on the
trees can cause one to lose sight of the forest. In a similar check of
perspective, a group of biologists, led by a University of California, Davis,
scientist, suggests that decades of focus on genes has led the scientific
community away from a balanced exploration of the organisms that those genes
define — whether they be plants, animals or microorganisms.
In an article appearing this week in the June issue of the
journal BioScience, the researchers assert that genetic variation alone does
not adequately explain the intricate variations in the physiology and behavior
of complex organisms. They propose a renewed emphasis on studying individual
organisms in the context of specific environments, considering in greater depth
the unique environmental exposures and experiences over the course of these
organisms’ lives.