In science, sometimes the result of an experiment is realizing a better way to answer the same question. Last week we found a neutral road to complexity, and also a possible way in which we might have tilted the scales away from simplicity. This week we see how to correct for that bias and find yet another scenario in which complexity increases.
constructive neutral evolution
Science Corner: Traveling on the Level
Having traveled the adaptive road to complexity, we wanted to see if any other routes are possible. This week we find one, known in biology as constructive neutral evolution. Then we explore whether our simple model can be made more biologically plausible, illustrating the iterative and self-critical nature of the scientific process.