The Origin of Species?. In this book Darwin theorized that populations evolve over the years through a process called natural selection. Darwin realized that in a population, more individuals were born than could possibly survive, he also recognized that the individuals that survived and reproduced were the ones with some sort of competitive advantage over rival animals, therefore they were more likely to pass their useful traits down to their offspring (Darwin, 1859).
As this process of natural selection occurred for millions of years, these desirable traits that were once only prevalent in a few individual animals became common traits for entire species (Winston, 2009).
There are countless amounts of evidence that suggest that humans owe their existence to evolution, however, many people are skeptical as to whether or not it is still occurring, and whether or not it is happening in the same way. Some scientists hold that the human race has reached ? its biological pinnacle and is no longer capable of changing? (McKie, 2005).
Alternatively, some experts believe that humans are evolving faster than ever (Sample, 2007), and others believe it is still happening, just on different terms. There has not been any deciding evidence as to whether or not humans are still evolving, however, saying it isn? t happening is a very difficult position to defend. Gene mutations happen at random so saying that humans will never undergo any more evolutionary changes seems very unlikely (Douglas, 2006).
The Term Paper on Social Recognition of the Human Individual
“From the time of puberty onward the human individual must devote himself to the great task of freeing himself from his parents.” -Sigmund Freud (General Intro. to Psychoanalysis) As a child develops from infancy to adulthood, it soaks up its environment and processes it like a biological computer. As it matures, so does the way it copes with the challenges life presents to him. If the child has ...
Many scientists and evolutionists believe that the complexion of modern society is changing the means by which natural selection and, consequentially, evolution is occurring.
The evolutionary trait of an advanced brain is what defines us as humans; ironically that same brain is what is allowing us to change the rules of evolution. As a result of a number of medical advancements, doctors are able to sustain life that would not have lasted back in Darwin? s time. This means that humans with genetic advantages are not the only ones to survive (Nasrallah, 2009).
In today? s world, genes are not as important for survival as they once were, with about ninety-eight percent of children in well-developed areas living until adulthood (Belluz, 2008).
When considering how evolution might be happening, experts say the human species may be ? in a sort of genetic drift in which changes happen randomly with no driving force behind evolutionary changes? (Douglas, 2006).
Upcoming technological advancements may also play a big role in changing the way in which evolution functions. If genetic engineering becomes common, humans will be able to choose certain genes and get rid of others; the future of evolution will be dependent on which genetic traits parents will choose for their children. This would have huge implications; humans would essentially have evolution in their hands (Adams, 2004).
It seems that in modern society, humans have more of a say in natural selection than nature and the environment does. Additionally, survival of the fittest has been taken out of the equation with the ? survival regardless of fitness? (Nasrallah, 2009) replacing it. On the other hand, some scientists like to believe that evolution was halted between fifty thousand and a hundred thousand years ago, before the races diverged (Douglas, 2006).
Geneticist Steve Jones theorizes that evolution has come to a halt as a result of societal changes on earth (McKie, 2005).
He says that natural selection, mutation, and random change were the three things that drove evolution, and he believes that these factors are no longer present in the modern, western society. He further argues that the likelihood of mutations in genes is declining because of a generally younger age for fathers; he says fathers over the age of 35 are more likely to pass on mutations. This is because cell divisions in males increase with age, and increasing the number of cell divisions increases the chance for an error or a mutation (Belluz, 2008).
The Essay on Are We Evolving Evolution Change Gene
... signifies that evolution has occurred." ... mutations, genetics drift, gene flow, nonrandom mating or natural selection. Any change from the initial allele frequencies in the gene pool of a population ... technology is a change. More technology, less work, meaning weaker bones and muscle for human and probably for ...
Natural selection is also not as prevalent in modern society, years ago almost half the children died before twenty, whereas nowadays most people reach adulthood regardless of their genetics (Douglas, 2006).
The final factor that Jones believed was responsible for the slowing down of evolution is the decreasing of random change in human genes. According to the rules of the animal kingdom, the human population should be ten thousand times smaller than it actually is (Belluz, 2008).
Small populations are much more likely to undergo random evolution than large populations because genes can be accidentally lost.
Because the earth? s population of humans is so large, it is very unlikely that any genes will be accidentally lost (Belluz, 2008).
Furthermore, human races are now being constantly mixed, which makes the likelihood of losing any genes even less (McKie, 2005).
Although all of these factors contribute to a change in the way evolution happens, it seems very farfetched that evolution can ever truly be stopped. In an alternate view, others are convinced that evolution is now happening faster than ever because of the speed at which society is changing.
According to a study done at the University of Wisconsin: ? in the past 5,000 years, humans have evolved up to 100 times quicker? than ever before (Sample, 2009, ¶1).
This increase in the rate of evolution appears to be because of rapid growth in population (Shute, 2008), new mutations are being spread around faster than ever before. One example of a recent addition to the human genome is the ability to digest lactose; this gene became common only about three-thousand years ago and spread through the population very quickly and is now present in most people (Shute, 2008).
The Term Paper on Human Evolution 3
... drastically as that of the human brain. The evolution of the Neanderthals mind hit ... the geographical distributions and the species population over time. All of the information ... existed, there was a great climate change in Africa. The once tropical African ... a brain analysis. Humans are a prime example of natural selection. The domination ... could no longer pass on their genes. We survived and we continue ...
Also, a gene called microcephalin which regulates brain size, emerged less than sixty thousand years ago is now prevalent in seventy percent of the population (Douglas, 2006).
It seems that the rate at which the human population is growing is allowing new mutations to spread quickly through the population, even if natural selection is less prevalent. In the future, scientists predict that genes which defend against disease will be the most rapidly developing part of the human genome. Robin McKie predicts that ?
In a thousand years, Africa will be populated only by the descendants of those who are currently immune to the AIDS virus? (2005, 7).
Due to the nature of evolution, no one can predict what humans will look like; however, some scientists have come up with some interesting theories. Alan Boyle hypothesizes that humans will all become much more homogenous, he believes all the races will converge into one (Boyle, 2005).
He also speculates about the evolutionary possibilities if humans are able to spread out onto other planets.
If humans diverge onto other planets, he believes speciation will occur, and the humans on one planet will evolve into a separate species, distinct from the humans on a different planet (Boyle, 2005).
Evolution is and always has been very unpredictable; there is seemingly no way to determine whether or not evolution is still occurring or what rules it is following. Only one thing seems to be certain in terms of modern evolution, and that is the fact that humans nowadays have more control over their own evolution than they ever did in the past.
The human race was able to survive throughout history because they evolved an enlarged and highly developed brain; this same brain is what is now allowing humans to build societies that allow for survival regardless of genetic superiority (Nasrallah, 2009).
As a result of new medical technology, humans have the ability to sustain life, cure diseases, and take care of those who are disabled. No longer does survival of the fittest play a role in human society, because in society those who are fit are now finding ways to help those who are unfit (Nasrallah, 2009).
The Essay on Darwin’s Theory of Evolution & Natural Selection
Charles Robert Darwin was born on 12 February 1809 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire into a wealthy family. Darwin himself initially planned to follow a medical career, and studied at Edinburgh University but later switched to divinity at Cambridge. In 1831, he joined a five year scientific expedition on the survey ship HMS Beagle. This is where he came up with his theory of evolution. During his voyage ...
The human lifestyle has definitely undergone a change since Darwin wrote the ? Origin of Species? in eighteen fifty-nine, and it is almost certain that natural selection has changed since then, however, it is not clear as to what extent the rules of natural selection have been altered. Quite possibly, the rate of evolution could now have been heightened as a result of many technological advancements. Or, evolution could have been halted as a result of human interference with natural selection. Either way, it seems likely that today? s evolutionary patterns will only be uncovered to mankind in the future.
