Guided Evolution: Development and organization of beings from a non-absolute reference frame

The Darwinian or neo-Darwinian evolutionary paradigm is based on random mutation and natural selection, favours vertical gene transfer and gradualism over horizontal gene transfer and sudden big changes, respectively. In recent times, however, it has been shown that horizontal gene transfer has a bigger role in evolution and evidence emerged for saltation of non-complex lifeforms. Here, I argue that it is time to revisit orthogenesis and saltation of complex life (macromutation) too, and consider the phenomenon of evolution from a more holistic viewpoint.