Systemic integration of different inheritance systems

The between-generations transmission of phenotypic variations is based on networks operating at different levels–genetic, epigenetic, behavioral and symbolic. Since each level involves a network of interactions, integrating such networks of networks may seem hopelessly complex. We suggest that the problem can be drastically simplified if analysis starts from a description of the heritable trait of interest as an attractor in a developmental landscape constructed by networks of inputs at underlying and overlying levels of organization. On this basis, further studies quantifying the different inputs that contribute to the between-generational re-construction of the trait can be made and enable the development of a systemic, dynamic and predictive model of inheritance.