Genetic imprinting in human evolution: the decisive role of maternal lineage

The modern study of human evolution must take into account physical anthropology, which examines phenotypic expression, and molecular evolution, which examines genotypic change. Recent independent investigations have shown that the process of genetic imprinting, defined as parental-dependent transmission of genetic traits, plays a pivotal role in human evolution. We draw on data from various scientific disciplines to support the hypothesis that maternal lineage via preferential genetic contribution, plays a decisive role in this regard. This concept is of more than theoretical interest, in that, current human disease states can be better understood and studied in the context of loss of genetically-defined evolutionary advantage.