Evolution of dominance

The evolution of dominance concerns the evolution of genetic dominance. The central argument, that modifier genes act upon other genes to make them dominant or recessive, and that these are then themselves subject to natural selection was first proposed by the Briton Ronald Fisher in 1928 [Fisher, R.A. 1928. [http://digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/coll/special//fisher/68.pdf The possible modification of the response of the wild type to recurrent mutations] . Am. Nat., 62: 115-126.] , and expanded upon in his book "The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection" [Fisher, R.A. 1930 "The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection", Clarendon Press, Oxford] . However, the American Sewall Wright believed that dominance was due to physiological factors that could not be affected by modifiers. This led to a major fallout between Fisher and Wright. Subsequent advances, particularly in molecular biology, have tended to favour Wright's view without completely excluding that the Fisherian argument may in some circumstances apply.

See the review by Denis Bourguet [Bourguet, D. 1999 [http://www.nature.com/hdy/journal/v83/n1/full/6885600a.html The evolution of dominance] "Heredity", Volume 83, Number 1, Pages 1-4]

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