Interpreting the homeobox: metaphors of gene action and activation in development and evolution.
Despite countless research efforts to demonstrate the precise developmental and evolutionary nature of homeobox genes, we are far from consensus on the role of this class of genes in development and evolution. This essay attempts to clarify the debate and to nip some problematic interpretations in the bud, by exploring metaphors of homeobox gene function in development and evolution.
Robert
J S
JS
Department of Philosophy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. jason.robert@dal.ca
D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005801:Genes, Homeobox / Q000235:genetics*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009154:Mutation