Analyzing data on the structure and functioning of immunoglobulin genes, famous Australian scientists hypothesize that the evolution of genes of the vertebrate immune system could have been carried out according to Lamarck, i.e. by inheritance of acquired characteristics. Popular presentation of the structure and functioning of the immune system. Formation of specific antibodies against new pathogens by somatic mutation of the “variable regions” of immunoglobulin genes and selection of the most successful variants of new antibodies. Endogenous retroviruses as potential carriers of newly formed genes into germ cells. "Retropseudogenes" as evidence that acquired changes (somatic mutations) can actually be "rewritten" back into the DNA of germ cells using reverse transcriptase.