What is an example of the deductive reasoning process in genetics?

Using Hardy-Weinberg calculations as evidence for admixture in a specific population is an excellent example of the deductive reasoning process in genetics. Deductive reasoning involves starting with a general theory or principle and applying it to a specific case to draw a conclusion.

In the context of the Hardy-Weinberg principle, this foundational theory provides a mathematical framework to predict the expected frequencies of genotypes in a population that is not evolving. When researchers apply this model to analyze genetic data from a specific population, they can deduce whether the observed genotype frequencies differ from those expected under the assumption of no admixture. A significant deviation might imply that the population has undergone changes due to admixture, making it a precise application of deductive reasoning: moving from a broad theoretical principle (Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium) to derive insights about a specific situation (evidence of admixture in a particular population). This is how scientific knowledge is developed, verified, and clarified in genetics.