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Essay
Nature 447, 913 (21 June 2007) | doi:10.1038/447913a; Published online 20 June 2007
Concept Eukaryote evolution: Engulfed by speculation
- Anthony Poole is in the Department of Molecular Biology and Functional Genomics, Stockholm University, SE 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
- David Penny is at the Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Abstract
The notion that eukaryotes evolved via a merger of cells from the other two domains — archaea and bacteria — overlooks known processes.
In the absence of direct evidence, science should proceed cautiously with conjecture. Geologist Charles Lyell (1797–1875) warned us not to proceed like medieval scholars, who "often preferred absurd and extravagant positions, because greater skill was required to maintain them".
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