Behaviour scientists shake Darwin’s foundation - chickens inherited parents' stress symptoms

April 12, 2007 Evolutionary theory ever since Darwin is based on the assumption that acquired traits, such as learnt modifications of behaviour, cannot be inherited by the offspring. Now, a Swedish-Norwegian research group, led by professor Per Jensen at Linköping university in Sweden, shows that chickens can actually inherit behavioural modifications induced by stress in their parents.

« Back to Behaviour scientists shake Darwin’s foundation - chickens inherited parents' stress symptoms