Does modern medecine interfere with human evolution?

Question

According to current scientific knowledge, human beings have evolved through genetic mutation and ensuing natural selection. Today however, modern medecine makes survival and reproduction possible for gene lines who previously would have died out due to natural selection. Is modern medecine effectively hampering further evolution of mankind?
#I am aware that this question raises numerous ethical issues and could be misinterpreted as being immoral. However I am solely interested in a scientific answer to this question and in no way want to imply unethical consequences!

Answer 1

Well, it doesn't hamper evolution per se, but it does help to limit the effects of natural selection. Espescially when you consider that for natural selection to take hold it has to decrease the fertility of a carrier - either they reproduce less, not at all, or die before they are able to.

Modern medicine contributes to stop this by keeping people alive and fertile longer, regardless of their genes. However, plenty of other social constructs play a much larger role, such as the accumulation of wealth (tend to lower the birth rate, not increase as would naturally occur), the ability to alter attractiveness artificially, etc.

This does not mean that evolution is stopped though, only the mechanism for selection is hindered. Every person is different, and mutations are accumulating in the human gene pool, but they are simply not being weeded out as effectively. This isn't necessarily worse, as if we had strong selection we would be of similar genes and potentially susceptible to similar problems - viruses, etc., so in terms of overall survivability of the species, we may be better off with a weak selection envrionment.

To end on back on point, my eyesight is horrendously bad if I don't use contacts or glasses. Were we in another time, I probably would have died before being able to procreate. However, at 28 I could have potentially had many children already. Modern technology provided this to me. I don't have that many children though, due to other social constructs and norms. It is worth noting that because my genes were not weeded out of the gene pool, every child that I do have will probably rely on these same technologies in order to survive. Technology is no longer optional to humanity.

Answer 2

Well, I would hesitate before using the phrases "interferes with" or "hampers", as these imply that evolution has some sort of *purpose* or specific *result*. It doesn't.

But, yes, medicine certainly *affects* the process of natural selection when we can prolong the lives of people with genetic disorders who would have died before reproducing. But *nobody* (including you) is arguing that this is not a good thing to do.

That's what humans do ... we interfere with nature all the time to prolong or improve our lives. If a forest fire started by lightning threatens a town, we don't just let it burn because it's "nature" taking its course; we fight the fire. If the natural process of erosion threatens to bring a rock slide down on a village, we shore up the mountain side (if it's possible). If we could stop hurricanes or earthquakes or big asteroids, we would, no hesitation.

Evolution is only a description of where we came from biologically. Nobody feels any obligation to leave it unfettered if we can make people's lives better.

---- P.S. to Panacea ----
The tortured logic with which you turn an attack on evolution into a screed against "liberals" is really an amazing feat of paranoia. The last two sentences are impressive.

You really do believe that the fundamental desire that drives everything "liberals" do is some deep-seated desire to *kill* people for no apparent reason, and that evolution is nothing but a "liberal" invention to justify their murderous evil ways.

Thank you, *thank you* for presenting such a clear picture of the type of logic you need to believe in creationism.

Answer 3

Of course ,modern medecine can not any way release all effectively factors which control input & output or side effects of any process,unless within a small area of period or knowledge.
The circulation of genetic mutation is a long series enough to be out of our science.So modern medecine effectively hampering further evolution of mankind.

Answer 4

There is no evidence that evolution takes place or that there is such a thing as natural selection. Quite the contrary, there is massive lack of basic scientific evidence that proves evolution is wrong.

Gene lines are a good example. Basic viability is NOT a trait. There is no such thing as genetic line that is better at survival than others. This is easily seen by basic observation. In most cultures, most people mate and reproduce. Simple as that.

A better example is race horses. Despite millions of dollars being spent it has proven impossible to breed champion race horses. You can take winning male and female horses and mate them....and their children are no more likely to be winners than other horses of reasonable quality.

As for the ethics of restricting things from others based on this junk science, simply ask people if they would be willing to go without medical services or other things so that survival of the fittest can take place. Obviously the answer will be a no. If you try to force them, they will use violence against you. When people are willing to do that, it is a pretty good indication that you are acting immorally but have your head rammed so far up your as s you didn;t notice. But, not to worry, the as s kicking you recieve will pop it right out of there.

I'll give a more concrete example of how liberals don't know this is wrong and find out the hard way. During Hurricane Katrina, several hospital staff took it upon themselves to euthanize patients for various reasons. They felt pretty smug about doing this.....right up until they were arrested for murder. I'm sure these guys will repent what they did every day they are in jail being as s raped by guys who take it as their sworn duty to make sure you know that prison is a place of punishment and suffering.

Liberal thought leads a person to do evil by making up bullshit theories that make the evil sound reasonable. This is punished severely when it smacks up against the real world.

Answer 5

It's certainly an easy point to make:. from the current popularity of aborting female fetuses in India to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of super-viruses ... mankind is clearly reshaping nature and the process of evolution.

It can be argued (and I tend to agree), however, that evolution inherently includes the ability to adapt ... which is done through means both biological and intellectual.

In that respect, I think it more nearly appropriate to conclude that mankind is not hampering evolution, but participating in it.

Answer 6

Not only modern medicin, but modern culture as a whole. Case in point, steroids in our Big Macs. Now we have children developing breasts, getting taller, growing facial hair (boys) and other changes. I am only 5ft 9in tall yet my kids, including my daughter are taller, and my wife is much shorter than I am. Infact her whole family is short. There are a lot of factors besides medicin contributing to changes in our evolution. You might say the modern world is causing us to mutate.

Answer 7

DEFINITELY YES. Because methylation pattern changes with altering surroundings according to recent research. Hence no clone are similar with the methylation pattern, there is very Little change. Same thing applies to germ cells, with presence of very little changes in methylation pattern. So not only modern medicine, but eating habits, drastic environmental changes, exposure to chemicals through cosmetics, food with artificial dyes, hair dyes etc. lead to small changes in methylation pattern of genes affecting human evolution.

Answer 8

No, natuaral selection is a process in which the genes are confronted with EVERY possible outcome to determine which will prevail and survive. Eugenics would interfere, not medicine. Medicine makes a geotype survive longer, it does not determine if it is successful.

Answer 9

It is possible. On the other hand, our ability to sidestep death from certain natural causes might simply be viewed as a useful adaptation.

Answer 10

You have a good point. I feel you are right.

I have noticed many more birth defects,allergy,and senitivity to
sometimes common substances.
Antibiotic hand soap and counter cleaners also have their effect.