Not opting for any option is synonymous with "neutralism"
The dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) defines neutralism as the propensity to remain neutral . The term is usually used with reference to international conflicts, although it can also be used in other contexts.
In politics
Before moving forward with the definition of neutralism, it is important to stop at the idea of neutral . This is how someone who does not take part in a conflict or who does not opt for any of the options that are opposed is classified.
In the field of politics , the tendency adopted by a State when it does not get involved in the struggles that other countries have is called neutralism. While neutrality refers to non-intervention in a particular war, neutralism is a position that is sustained over time at a general level.
A nation that embraces neutralism, therefore, does not engage in any belligerence. This means that it does not support any side.
Neutralism in biology
The notion of neutralism is also used in the field of biology . This is the name given to the link established by two populations or species when, in their interaction, neither obtains a benefit nor is harmed .
According to specialists, pure neutralism is non-existent or, at least very rare. Sometimes it cannot even be proven that there are no benefits or harms in the relationship. However, we speak of neutralism if the positive or negative consequences of the interaction are not very significant.
It is important to mention that if one of the species benefits and the other is not affected, the relationship is called commensalism .
Molecular evolution
In the field of genetics, there is the neutralist theory of molecular evolution , according to which almost all evolutionary changes that occur in molecules arise as a result of the so-called Sweall Wright effect , which takes place in neutral mutants. This effect, which is also known as genetic drift , is a force that drives evolution in combination with natural selection, altering allele frequencies over time .
The author of this theory was a biologist of Japanese origin named Motoo Kimura . He proposed it in 1968, although only fifteen years later he published an in-depth description in a book that some considered an opposition to Darwin's theory of evolution through natural selection, Kimura assured that both were compatible.
This innovative biologist also stood out for having used diffusion equations in calculating the time and probability of fixation of an allele, whether beneficial, harmful or neutral. Returning to the theory related to the neutralism of molecular evolution , the vast majority of mutant genes, as long as they are not harmful, are neutral, that is, from a selective point of view they do not offer advantages over those they replace. .
Japanese scientist Motoo Kimura proposed the neutralist theory of molecular evolution
Regarding the probability of a mutant emerging that is selectively superior to its population, Kimura carried out research. In other words, he asked himself how likely it was that such a gene would spread through that population, to which he responded with the following three findings:
* taking a given protein as a reference, the frequency with which one amino acid is replaced by another is practically the same in several different phylogenetic lines;
* There seems to be a random component in this substitution phenomenon;
* the value of the rate of change in DNA is very high. It may be that one nitrogenous base is replaced for every two years of evolution of a mammal species.