Editing Neural Darwinism (section)

=== The developmental genetic question ===

There are many developmental questions to be considered, but Edelman is able to succinctly summarize the problem in a way that will show a clear explanatory path forward for him. The ''developmental genetic question'' defines the problem – and, the theoretical approach for him.

<blockquote>"How does a one-dimensional genetic code specify a three-dimensional animal?"{{sfn|Edelman|1988|p=217}} – Gerald M. Edelman, from the glossary of ''Topobiology''</blockquote>

By 1984, Edelman would be ready to answer this question and combine it with his earlier ideas on degeneracy and somatic selection in the nervous system. Edelman would revisit this issue in ''Topobiology'' and combine it with an evolutionary approach, seeking a comprehensive theory of body plan formation and evolution.