David P. Mindell

David P. Mindell, an evolutionary biologist and visiting scholar at UC Berkeley, discusses a transformative view of evolution in this engaging conversation. He challenges the traditional tree-like model of evolution, introducing the concept of horizontal evolution and its importance. Mindell highlights the roles of genetic transfer in evolution, the ethical stakes of gene editing, and the implications for fields like medicine and agriculture. He also reflects on the interplay between parasites and symbiotes, revealing the dynamic nature of relationships across species.