Darwinism Quote by Lynn Margulis
““New mutations don't create new species; they create offspring that are impaired.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Symbiosis in Cell Evolution, Lynn Margulis, 1998
Mutations alter existing organisms, often reducing fitness, rather than instantly forming entirely new species.
In simple terms: Mutations usually harm, not create, new species.
Key Takeaway
Recognize mutation limits in evolution.
Themes
evolution
genetics
species formation
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
scientific
educational
When to use this quote
- conservation biology
- medical genetics
- agricultural breeding
Key Concepts
mutation effects
natural selection
genetic drift
Questions to Reflect On
- How do harmful mutations influence long‑term evolution?
- Can we harness mutation knowledge in breeding?
A Different Perspective
Mutations can sometimes be beneficial, but this quote emphasizes typical impairment.
![“Natural selection eliminates and maybe maintains, but it doesn't create... Neo-Darwinists say that new species emerge when mutations occur and modify an organism. I was taught over and over again that the accumulation of random mutations led to evolutionary change [which] led to new species. I…” quote by Lynn Margulis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5b9/lynn-margulis-17073_biology_natural-selection-eliminates-and-maybe-m_397958.jpg)
![“[Dr. Constain James] refuted so well the aberrations of Darwinism… [A system] which is repugnant at once to history, to the tradition of all people, to exact science, to observed facts, and even to reason itself, would seem to need no refutation. But the corruption of this age, the machinations of…” quote by Pope Pius IX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/927/pope-pius-ix-26903_aberration_dr-constain-james-refuted-so-well-the-ab_292056.jpg)