Actually, most evolutionary biologists would argue that animals aren't written into an evolutionary corner.
The gene regulatory networks that make up how we develop are highly conserved between us and other species. Our genome, in terms of development, is written in an object oriented manner. The pathways and genes involved in 'make back leg" or "make eye" are essentially exactly the same in us as it is in lizards or birds. There is a common developmental toolkit for all animals to use. You can change where you call each subroutine or make subtle alterations to it to change where you place a limb or exactly how it will look.
By separating the 'house construction blueprints' or developmental genes from the 'interior decorating genes' or species specific genes, you dont get written into a corner evolutionarily
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Actually, most evolutionary biologists would argue that animals aren't written into an evolutionary corner. The gene regulatory networks that make up how we develop are highly conserved between us and other species. Our genome, in terms of development, is written in an object oriented manner. The pathways and genes involved in 'make back leg" or "make eye" are essentially exactly the same in us as it is in lizards or birds. There is a common developmental toolkit for all animals to use. You can change where you call each subroutine or make subtle alterations to it to change where you place a limb or exactly how it will look. By separating the 'house construction blueprints' or developmental genes from the 'interior decorating genes' or species specific genes, you dont get written into a corner evolutionarily