News Genetics

Selfish genes hide for decades in plain sight of worm geneticists

By poisoning offspring and providing the antidote, the genes spread spookily fast through the population

C. elegans nematode

MOMMIE DEAREST  Covertly poisoning offspring appears to be a common part of motherhood in the C. elegans nematode (shown) that stars in biology labs worldwide.

HeitiPaves/iStockphoto

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

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A strain of wild Hawaiian worms has helped unmask long-studied genes as just plain selfish.