Prevalence in the population is determined by fitness and natural selection. If a trait is genetically controlled it can't be influenced by the environment. Every genetic trait is influenced by the environment, often to large degree. The social and psychological sciences must ignore genetics because it is overwhelming. Greater progress is possible when all relevant information is integrated.
Some dominant alleles are deleterious or neutral.
Alternative ideas are known by many names including alternative conceptions, misconceptions, and naive ideas. They have been extensively studied during the past 15 years. This does not imply that all prior knowledge is faulty. Students have a great deal of valuable prior knowledge or anchoring conceptions. A good teacher will draw out some of the students' prior experiences and link them to events in the classroom.