Has the human race stopped evolution? (1 Viewer)

Zlatan

Senior Member
Jun 9, 2003
23,049
#1
Has the human race stopped evolution? Using a Darwin style “Survival of the fittest” model for the evolution of a species, humans are gradually using technology to replace genetic flaws that are passed down from generation to generation.

Medical technology can replace genetic defects to hearts and other major organs, Prosthetics can replace lost limbs, simple items such as glasses and contact lenses can correct faulty vision. This allows what would classically be called “restrictive” genetic traits to be carried on to future generations that may normally be bred out by the “survival of the fittest” model.

Also the support structure for people is a lot better than in the past. Old people and disabled people are cared for by groups of people and not just family members. People who are unemployed can have the option of claiming benefits to keep them in essentials in terms of food/shelter.

There are very little external pressures that would make punish weak or faulty traits and reward advantageous ones. So have we stopped our own evolution with technology and social structures or will we continue to evolve, if a bit slower than before?
 

Buy on AliExpress.com

Majed

Senior Member
Jul 17, 2002
9,630
#2
++ [ originally posted by Zlatan ] ++
Has the human race stopped evolution? Using a Darwin style “Survival of the fittest” model for the evolution of a species, humans are gradually using technology to replace genetic flaws that are passed down from generation to generation.

Medical technology can replace genetic defects to hearts and other major organs, Prosthetics can replace lost limbs, simple items such as glasses and contact lenses can correct faulty vision. This allows what would classically be called “restrictive” genetic traits to be carried on to future generations that may normally be bred out by the “survival of the fittest” model.

Also the support structure for people is a lot better than in the past. Old people and disabled people are cared for by groups of people and not just family members. People who are unemployed can have the option of claiming benefits to keep them in essentials in terms of food/shelter.

There are very little external pressures that would make punish weak or faulty traits and reward advantageous ones. So have we stopped our own evolution with technology and social structures or will we continue to evolve, if a bit slower than before?

No... billions of people don't live like we do. Millions can't even eat.

Interesting article though.
 

Azzurri7

Pinturicchio
Moderator
Dec 16, 2003
72,692
#3
I made a project about this couple of months before,, and my answe was No, Millions of people can't even do what we are doing right now..
 

swag

L'autista
Administrator
Sep 23, 2003
83,368
#6
I'll take the opposite argument here. We are evolving at least as much as in the past.

Evolution is all about incorporating and leveraging what's in your environment to your advantage -- or succumbing to it. To that extent, the evolutionary process doesn't come to a standstill because instead of buffalo, river fishing, flint, and papyrus we have Lasik surgery, SUVs, iMode, and KFC. Those are just different actors in the same play.

The myopia is really in thinking of evolution only in terms of what it meant thousands of years ago -- and not what it means in a contemporary environment where the forces are vastly different, but they are forces just the same.
 

Elnur_E65

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2004
10,848
#15
Zlatan, I love your threads, man

The world has changed since 1945. Nowadays human life does have a value (in many nations), so the evolution is slowing down.

Soon there will be so many humans on this planet that there won't be enough food.
 

Gandalf

Senior Member
Jul 28, 2003
2,038
#20
I don't think robots CAN replace humans.. maybe in some rich countries and to a certain limit.. but, that's a long shot either.. and if you really think about it.. it would be uneffecient and more expensive to depend on robots..
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 1)