Is evolution of human race possible?

Question

and how it could happen?

Answer 1

Proper evolution of homo sapiens at this point questionable. In fact to be honest the chance of any species on Earth with a high maturity age being able to evolve "naturally" is not very likely.
Here's the thing:
For a species to evolve on a large scale (after all, tons of people have DNA mutations but some don't consider that much of an evolution) there usually has to be a high reproduction rate. Your average human doesn't have a child until about 20 years old so each generation is really only 20 years old. The opportunity for an individual to pass on their genes (and possibly have those genes mutated) only happens on average every 20 years. Take a small animal or insect (which get to a reproductive age within a few months) and the possibility for evolution isn't just possible but perhaps "imminent". This is one reason why it's hard to kill off a population of insects. Even if you use pesticides on tens of thousands of insects in a corn field... the one that doesn't get killed by it will possibly have more children and spread his immunity genes. (Look up "Red Queen Theory").

And humans? With over 6 billion people on the planet, even if an individual were to have a largely beneficial (and presumably with little cost) gene in him/her, several problem still exist that would slow down the ability of this gene to spread throughout the population.
As I said, there are 6 billion people on the planet that that mutation would somehow have to give the carrier and its offspring an "on average" ability to produce and rear more children than any other rival gene. Even if it were to double amount of children that make it to maturity for the carriers/offspring... using math (more like "logic") you can see that it would take centuries to spread to a reasonable size.
By "reasonable size" I basically mean to spread to a size where it can actually constitute a large mutation population in comparison to the normal homo sapien population. Think in terms of millions to billions. (Don't forget that while this gene spreads, there are still more "regular" humans having children at an increasing rate).
There are other variables too, for instance many humans only have children with one or two partners during their lifetime. This gene would have problems moving around the globe at first.
The sad "fine print" for all of this is that most people would think that by the time a successful mutation would be able to spread throughout the human population... humans may not exist on this planet anymore.

So that's why evolution on a large scale is very unlikely. The closest thing I could see happening to this would be that people who are given genetics that give them an advantage as to how to use logic and use their brain efficiently are more likely to be successful and have children. Probably one reason why humans are getting smarter and smarter than other animals (although one day their DNA might start heading in the same direction... possible bad news for our descendants down the road).

So if we can't evolve then what are we to do? I know it's a "taboo" issue but the field of genetic engineering will be all grown up within a hundred years or so. Think about the potential if we can come up with if we have the ability to understand and manipulate DNA to our liking. Some possibilities:
1.) Faster maturity rates. What if we could manipulate DNA so that instead of having to rear a little child for 16 or so years that a human being can mature in the same way but just in a faster amount of time. In nature we didn't have enough resources but at this point there are certainly people who could support the needs of a baby maturing at around 2-5x the natural rate. The baby would need a lot of food but look at our obesity rates... there are no shortages of nutrients in most 1st world countries. Imagine a full-grown man at the age of 10 years old or younger... takes the hassle out of rearing those crying/helpless babies.
2.) Cures for diseases. What if there is a way to manipulate DNA to prevent or reverse cancer? Cancer occurs when the DNA of cells gets messed up so what if we were able to prevent/reverse this process? We can cure lots of other diseases in other ways but cancer is a looming killer that huge percentages of our populations have to deal with. Cure cancer with DNA manipulation and the average life expectancy would be raised by at least 20 years.
3.) Aging. There are tons of arguments as to what causes the body to "age" and become less efficient. DNA's stake in the race is probably a very large one that we still have yet to fully understand. What if we could prevent or reverse aging to our liking? You could be stuck with the body of a 16-40 year old for many more decades than normal. This is probably one of the most controversial points of genetic engineering as there are many questions (both practical and philosophical) that then get asked. "Will there be enough room for people to live on to 200-300 years old?" "Is it ethically wrong for someone to go on living life past the "natural or god-ordained" limits?" "If a person can live for hundreds of years rather than only 70 years... isn't it their *right* to life to be able to do that?". In general though I find that humans find a way to solve the problem once it pops up...

Genetic engineering probably the only way we could evolve on a large scale at this point. Our DNA probably has a part encoded that controls our lifespans. Why is this? Because if people don't die then it makes no new room for new offspring and without new offspring *naturally* no mutations can pop up and thus a gene is stuck in limbo and other minor competitors with that species can catch up... this spells possible death for the species carrying that DNA. BUT would it not make sense then that death will become unnecessary at the point when we don't need to reproduce to get new genetic mutations? At the point where we can, ourselves, manipulate our own genes?

There is a lot to think about but I will say this... not once have "morals" stopped a beneficial science from reaching maturity. Even with the first violent use of the atom bomb, scientists still ventured deeper into the field to create (unfortunately) new/stronger/bigger bombs and (very fortunately) nuclear and fusion-power plants, etc. If any of you can expect to live past 2050, I can guarantee you this industry of genetic engineering will be booming at a rate almost unimaginable.

Answer 2

Evolution is in essence "Survival by adaptation".

So anytime the human race has to adapt it evolves. A good example is viruses and bacteria.

Let's say that 100 people are infected by a virus and 30 of those people die. The other 70 people who survived the infection. Did so either because they have some innate resilience against it (ie. a stronger immune system) or developed defenses through some other means. For those people who surviveved through their innate resiliences (immune system in this case) and have offspring their children will have a greater chance of inheriting the same defenses (a stronger immune system, etc...) that saved their parents. Eventually if that trait (their immune system) became more prevalent throughout all humanity, from survival and adaptation. Humanity would have evolved to contain new traits (one of which would be the stronger immune system of their ancestors)


And for the answer as to cross-species evolution.
A species is defined as:

1. a class of individuals having some common characteristics or qualities; distinct sort or kind.

Every "abnormality" is an advance in our evolution. Examples of this are:

* Hermaphroditism (ambigously gendered)
* dwarfism
* marfan syndrome (connective tissue disorder)
*macrocephalism (abnormally large head)
*being born with 3 arms or 3 legs
*hirsutism (women with facial hair growth)

Any of the above would obviously lead to substantially different looking humans. So evolution is happening. And if our small advances become profitable for us as a race we might branch off to another species. Or at the very least a completely different human race.

Answer 3

Well yes, evolution of all species is possible, and happening.

The driving force behind evolution has always been natural selection, with the environment being the base. Now that we have modern medicine, it seems different things are now the base. For example, being Mormon usually means you have more kids then the average pair. So you could say natural selection is now making your choice to be Mormon a positive evolutionary trait. It will be interesting to see where the human race is going.

Answer 4

We know certain facts which the theory of evolution seeks to explain from a natural perspective. Fact: New species of animals and plants have replaced earlier species ever since life appeared on earth. Fact: Every population of living things undergoes genetic change over time. Darwin observed these facts of nature, and proposed a theory to explain them. Evolutionary biologists today recognize that Darwin's theory was rather simplistic, as early theories in every branch of science are, and does not fully account for all observable evolutionary change. However, regardless of the specific mechanics of biological evolution that are involved, the general theory remains the best, and in fact the only tenable explanation we have for the changes that we know have occurred.

And, while I want to address the scientific aspects of the question here, not the theological, I will say this ... "Intelligent design" is NOT an "alternative theory" to biological evolution. Biological evolution seeks to answer the scientific question, "what happened, and how?". Intelligent design seeks to answer the theological/philosophical question, "who was ultimately responsible for what happened?". The two questions are both perfectly valid, but are essentially unrelated. Personally I am a firm believer in BOTH biological evolution AND intelligent design. Which is why I get annoyed when people try to present the two as inherently contradictory.

Answer 5

Evolution is not only possible, it's inevitable. In every generation, there are some people who reproduce and some who don't - and the distinction is not random.

What traits favor reproduction? Anything that helps you attract a mate, obviously. Any trait that boosts your income is helpful too. Certain medical conditions are a no-no. I'm sure you can come up with a few other things to add to the list.

Answer 6

It is happening as we speak... however we will never see it due to the extremely slow nature of the process. It would take a catastrophic event to truly speed things along, especially since we have become so adept at controlling our environment. We have simply turned the tables of evolution so to speak, now our world evolves to fit us. I assume the next great change would probably adapt our species to cope with some of the rigors provided by new technologies.

Answer 7

it has been happening for millions of years and is slowly happening all the time. evolution is a slow process contrary to what Hollywood would have you believe it rarely just JUMPS like in xmen and such but an example of evolution in humans right now is more and more ppl are being born without "wisdom teeth" which we don't need....so is it possible YES and could it happen now YES, and is....hope this helps have a good one...

Answer 8

Not only possible. It hapens all the time.
1. Humans migrating from africa to the northern climates experienced less sunlight durring the winter. Their skin color became lighter to better use the sunlight for vitamin K production.
2. Humans in the severe cold of siberia tend to be stout with compact limbs. This keeps them warmer because heat escape with increased surface area.
3. African's in excessively hot climates grew tall and thin to have greater surface area for cooling off in the heat.

Evolution is a simple two step process.
Step one: Make lots of varieties of a species (tall, short, smart, dumb, fat, etc).
Step two: Choose the best variety for the specific living condition (fat people do better durring famine, short for cold weather, tall for warm weather, etc.) The people who are best suited to the environment will tent to reproduce more successfully than the less well suited.
And, voila... evolution.

Answer 9

Not only possible, but inevitable. We cannot predict which direction it will go with any degree of certainty at this point, but we are certainly evolving. There are some things we can predict such as we are increasing our resistance to AIDs, for example, as evidenced by the number of people dying of the disease. Those less susceptible are favored by "natural" selection.

Answer 10

Only God has the choice to change the Human Race.

Answer 11

It has become far less likely. Evolution is based on the concept of natural selection (what isn't good enough dies) but humans have gotten very good at perserving the below average members of our race.

Counterevolutionary I know, but morally, its exactly what we should be doing.