This term has different concepts, each one will depend on the scientific specialty where it is applied. For example, in biology, epigenesis is an old theory about the mechanism by which human beings develop, that is, an embryo evolves starting from the zygote that has not yet been distinguished, which shows the absence of miniature elements, organs that are already present in gametes.
This theory contradicts the theory of preformation, which states that the evolution of an embryo represents the growth of an organism that was already preformed. However , according to epigenesis, the organs that make up the embryo are formed from nothing, through stimuli derived from the environment.
This theory interprets the final tuning mechanism, by means of which each being is coupled, in an efficient way to its environment, starting from the capacities included in its genetic coding. Since genes are generally part of a somewhat complicated network of interactions that maintain feedback. And therefore, they do not proceed independently.
Throughout history there has always been a debate that confronts epigenetic theory with preformation. However, preformationism comes to an end, the same moment that technology was able to show the epigenetic origin of organs. It should be added that this debate was one of the most historic ever seen, it was held during the 19th century.
Now, in the field of mineralogy, the term epigenesis is used to refer to the modification of the chemical nature of a mineral, without the need to alter its structure.
