A scientist or philosopher who believes that organisms develop from simple structures that gradually become more complex, rather than being pre-formed.
From Greek epi- (upon) + genesis (origin/creation) + -ist (one who practices or believes). The term emerged in 17th-18th century biology to describe those who supported developmental theory over preformationism.
This was the winning side of one of biology's biggest early debates—epigenesis ultimately triumphed over the idea that tiny humans were just waiting to unfold in sperm or eggs, which sounds wild but was actually a mainstream belief!
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