I
Mutation. The word naturally conjures fears of unexpected and freakish changes. Ill-informed discussions of mutations thrive during virus outbreaks, including the ongoing spread of SARS-CoV-2. In reality, mutations are a natural part of the virus life cycle and rarely impact outbreaks dramatically.
The meaning of the word ‘mutation’ in the vernacular does not reflect the complexities of evolutionary theory. In science fiction, to ‘mutate’ is to undergo a significant transformation. Characters in Marvel Comics, for example, possess incredible new abilities due to mutation. In the entertainment industry, the dramatization of evolution to portray disease outbreaks is a common trope.
The meaning of the word ‘mutation’ in the vernacular does not reflect the complexities of evolutionary theory. In science fiction, to ‘mutate’ is to undergo a significant transformation. Characters in Marvel Comics, for example, possess incredible new abilities due to mutation. In the entertainment industry, the dramatization of evolution to portray disease outbreaks is a common trope.
