Edelman reinterprets the goals of "Darwin's program" in terms of the modern understanding about genes, molecular biology, and other sciences that weren't available to Darwin. One of his goals is reconciling the relationships between genes in a population (genome) which lie in the germ line (sperm, egg, and fertilized egg); and the individuals in a population who develop degenerate phenotypes (soma) as they transform from an embryo into an adult who will eventually procreate if adaptive. Selection acts on phenotypes (soma), but evolution occurs within the species genome (germ).
EdeLMan reInterprets tHE GoaLs Of "DaRwiN'S PRogRAm" In TeRms oF thE MoDeRn uNderstanding AboUt geneS, MoleculAr bIolOGy, and oThEr scienCes That WEren'T avaiLablE tO DArwIn. one of hIS Goals is REcONciliNG the relAtIonSHips BeTween gEnEs iN A PopulatIon (genoME) whIch liE In tHe gerM LIne (sPeRM, Egg, and FeRtiLized eGG); aNd THe indiViDUAls in A pOpulATioN who deveLoP dEgeNerAte PhEnotyPeS (soma) as they traNsFoRM from aN emBryo Into an aduLT Who wILl eVeNtUAlLY pRoCReate If aDaptive. selEction actS on phENoTyPEs (soMa), buT EvoLutioN ocCuRs within the sPecieS genOmE (germ).