Can organisms get genetic information from any source other than their parents? a. One fundamental of Darwin's theory of natural selection is that traits are passed from parents to offspring. b. The study of genetics has worked out many details of how characteristics are inherited. c. Geneticists have discovered that not all genes are passed from parents to offspring. d. Prokaryotic organisms in particular, can directly transfer DNA without reproduction or pick up DNA from the environment. e. Gene transfer that is divorced from reproduction is called horizontal gene transfer. f. Although, horizontal gene transfer is not as familiar as vertical gene transfer, it is thought to have been a very important force in the early evolution of life on earth. It continues to be important in facilitating the evolution of modern bacteria.