Human Evolution

[HazieDaVampire]

Anybody think the evolution of the human race will slow down even more now.

Since evolution rides on survival of the fittest, almost all of us will survive regardless of our genetics so the evolution of humans will just be a scramble of the genes that have so far survived.

[Inverse Icarus]

exactly. we save the weak. machines evolve to environments for us. we wont change for a while.

[HazieDaVampire]

Only change i can see possible is the dominent genes, such as brown hair and brown eyes.

Blonde people will die out, but you'll probubly see some fanatics who create pure breads very much like what hitler wanted to happen.

And your right, whenever a situtation changes, we don't take a few years so those of us who can cope survive and those who cant die, we save everybody and create somthing to cope for us.

[loinburger]

Why would blond people die out? Blond genes are recessive, so there's still a chance that two people with brown hair (if their genes are Bb Bb) will produce a blond child. It's not as though people with negative RH blood factors have all died out, and I can assure you that my parents (both RH positive) did not marry for the sole purpose of producing a child with a negative RH factor, and in fact they were pretty surprised to discover that I am RH negative.

Regardless, it's a bit soon to be claiming that human evolution has ended. Myopia may not be as likely to kill people anymore (or select against people), but the fact that one genetic variation (or even many genetic variations) no longer play(s) a role in selection is hardly proof that all genetic variations no longer play a role in selection. People who have bipolar disorder are more likely to commit suicide than those who are not, therefore the genes involved in the disorder are still being selected against. People with congenital heart defects are more likely to die young than those lacking such defects, therefore the genes producing these defects are still being selected against. Etc.

[Datajack Franit]

I guess future generations won't have to care about hair color as most of them will be bald

[DAVOUT]

And new deseases have also an influence on evolution. It has been found that in Zaire, a few percentage of the prostitute were naturally immune to Aids; if the epidemic is not medically stopped, the population will be reduced to the immunes who will become the ancestors of the totale future population.

[Asher]

Originally posted by UberKruX
exactly. we save the weak.

Sounds like an argument against socialism to me.

[DAVOUT]

Considering the time scale of evolution, we can save the weaks without influencing evolution. On the contrary, catastrophic events can find in the so-called weaks some genes more adapted to a new environment that the genes considered healthy to-day.

[Urban Ranger]

Has any one of you considered that "saving the weak" is an evolved trait?

[Kramerman]

is ther a source about those prostitues who are natrually immune to HIV? I would think such people would be under extremely scrutinous examination in order to use them to find a cure.

Kman

[johncmcleod]

You never know. Some genetic mutation might occur that everyone thinks is the best and that trait could become widespread as the people with that trait will get married and have kids quick. I was the thinking about this one person I know's thoughts the other day. The women that were more, uh, let's say "submissive" would've have reproduced earlier and more frequently than those who weren't. So isn't our population mainly descendents from the more submissive ladies?

[Urban Ranger]

They have found this one gene, Delta32, that renders people immune to the HIV virus. I am not sure about the African prostitutes.

[DAVOUT]

I red it more than one year ago in a scientific review, but I dont remember which one. But you are right, once identified they are followed. I presume that it must be quite difficult to build a research project based on immunity, and also considering the local conditions.

[DAVOUT]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
Has any one of you considered that "saving the weak" is an evolved trait?

It could be an evolved trait only if it helps the perpetuation of our genes. If saving the weaks is resulting from a spiritual conception of the good, it could not be an evolved trait.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by DAVOUT
It could be an evolved trait only if it helps the perpetuation of our genes. If saving the weaks is resulting from a spiritual conception of the good, it could not be an evolved trait.

Saving the weak helps to preserve the species as a whole. The most successful animals (not counting hive insects) that live in groups/packs tend to save the weak.