The Genetics of Feather Evolution: Insights from Chicken Feet.
A recent study claiming that a few genetic tweaks can transform scales into feathers is misleading, as feathers did not evolve directly from reptile scales and the scales on bird feet are believed to be reduced feathers. The creation of feathers required coordinated changes in numerous genes, making the claim that an "evolutionary leap" from scales to feathers does not require large changes in genome composition or expression complete rubbish.