In a landmark study published in Cell on May 22, 2025, researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have presented evidence suggesting that acquired traits can be inherited without alterations to DNA sequences. This discovery revives the long-dismissed 19th-century theory of Lamarckism, posing a significant challenge to Charles Darwin’s widely accepted theory of evolution.
🧬 The Study: Cold-Tolerant Rice and Epigenetic Inheritance
The research focused on rice plants exposed to cold stress. Remarkably, these plants developed a tolerance to low temperatures, and this adaptive trait was passed down through five generations. Crucially, this inheritance occurred without any changes to the plants’ DNA sequences. Instead, the adaptation was linked to stable, heritable changes in DNA methylation—a form of epigenetic modification.
📚 Revisiting Lamarckism: A 19th-Century Theory Reemerges
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, a French naturalist, proposed that organisms could pass on traits acquired during their lifetimes to their offspring—a concept famously illustrated by the idea that giraffes developed long necks by stretching to reach higher leaves. While Lamarck’s theory was largely overshadowed by Darwin’s natural selection, the new findings provide empirical support for the inheritance of acquired characteristics, aligning with Lamarckian principles. South China Morning Post
🔬 Implications for Evolutionary Biology
This study suggests that epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, can play a significant role in heredity and evolution. It challenges the traditional Darwinian view that genetic mutations are the sole drivers of evolutionary change. By demonstrating that environmental factors can induce heritable changes without altering DNA sequences, the research opens new avenues for understanding evolution and adaptation.
🌐 Broader Impact and Future Research
The findings have far-reaching implications beyond evolutionary theory. In agriculture, understanding epigenetic inheritance could lead to the development of crop varieties better adapted to environmental stresses. Moreover, this research may prompt a reevaluation of evolutionary models to incorporate epigenetic factors, potentially leading to a more comprehensive understanding of heredity and adaptation.