Are humans the only animal that has developed the ability to direct its own evolution?

Question

Why is this? From biblical, philosophical and scientific standpoints.

Do you think other animals will ever develop this ability? Would any be concerned with developing this ability?

Answer 1

Scientifically I would say we have only came up with a way to develope and direct our own evolution through the Gnome project...if we can modify our own genetics then we there will be an evolution (albeit not a natural one). This is dangerous to the point of scientific ethics "just because we can do a thing doesn't mea we should." We could open up a whole new world of wonders...or one of cataclysm...we do not know...our hubris in our creativity will bring upon us the end of days.

Social...I think we are no longer viable when it comes to evolution (as a whole). We have weakened are immune systems and depend on drugs to make us well... we have slaughtered nature and, in turn, destroyed the natural diversity that preserves life within a system...now we have made the planet more fragil...not for life because that will continue regardless, but we have made our own planet fragile in regards as keeping it an environment/ecosystem to continue supporting ourselves...this, we are seeing for ourselves, is the reality...we can see the planet becoming inhospitible to us...within our very lifetime. scary.

Biblicaly, well...we were made as we are (though how we can still swallow this drivel when we watch the process of evolution happen around us every year (flu season for one microchasm of evolutionary delight)...but God mad us how we are and we became stupid and now we are going to parish and be judged because we are stupid, but he loves us anyway....no there is not evolutionary direction here.

Philisophical...Evolution is the process of Nature ensuring life continues...those creatures with the best traits and most successful passing of genes are the ones who will continue...passing every minute change on, generation after generation...hat is direction enough...however, man has figured out a way to allow weakness and frailty pass from generation to generation...The weakest survive and pass on their genes equally as those who are the strongest and most viable...we have indeed developed the ability to direct our own evolution...into weakness and decay...thus we direct ourselves the wrong direcion.

P.S. Those of you who deny being part of the animal kingdom...You are delusional. You are moronic and will cause the fall of society...it is okay for you to use animal organs for human medicine (we are able to use them because we are close enough in our creaturliness to utilize them)....You were made (created...thus the bible says) in the very same act of creation that everything else was made...from Word...like all things....From the Earth (second Genisis) from which all things had come...We are no better...we are the watchers you hubris ridden, anthropocentric, self-delusional generating miscreants...I loath the very fact you place yourself outside of nature...you are like people who are in a dark room yet you do not know it is dark...you have not seen the ned to turn on the lights for yourself.

God loves you anyway.

Answer 2

We as humans have the ability to horizontally evolve within our own species, according to the Bible, hence we have changed throughout the years. But as far as vertical evolution is concerned, with lower life-forms evolving into higher ones, that one from a biblical standpoint is impossible. Animals are animals. People are people. The Bible says that we are made from a different flesh than animals and have a different purpose --- they to serve as glorification of God's creation and to feed us, we to worship and honor God and in return be justly rewarded in the afterlife.

Answer 3

Humans didn't evolve. God has way more proof in nature then evolutions have. Look at the giraffe, why doesn't he get dizzy after taking a drink of water. Because his heart is big enough to get the blood to his brain when his head is raised. Then why doesn't his brain explode when he bends down to drink and has gravity helping his heart pump blood to his brain? Because of the sponge that soaks up the excess blood while a valve is closing to slow the blood. Why doesn't the woodpecker knock himself silly when he drills holes? Why can a gecko walk on glass when other lizards can't? Because we were all created by a master designer.

Answer 4

We have the ability to direct our own evolution, but it would require us sacrificing some of our morality. For instance, we could euthanize anyone born with a genetic birth defect. We could sterilize anyone with a below average IQ. We could over several generations, improve the human gene pool. However, would it be right?

Answer 5

All species, animal and plants included evolve over time. The evolutionary process is based on a number of features including the environment.

No species, human or otherwise, directs its evolutionary process. Survival of any species is based on its ability to adapt to changes, sometimes these changes takes many generations to develop.

Answer 6

Probably that commdity we call being sentient and intelegent.

You do realize there are only like about 5 creatures on the Earth that understand what a mirror is, man is one of them. There are a few monkey or ape spieces that also understand they are looking at their own reflection. All the other creatures think they are seeing an compeitor or mate or mother or brother. They think the reflection is real.

Answer 7

If as a species we could develop the unity, we could direct it, yes. However, you'd have to not only develop the unity but keep that unity intact over tens of thousands of generations, easily a span of half a million years. How do you plan to go about THAT?

We do continue to evolve for our environment, however, since we're not really directing that environment as a unified whole, it's somewhat more chaotic than directed.

Answer 8

We haven't. Where did you get this idea? Have humans evolved the ability to fly? Or gills? Or even the ability to eradicate congenital glitches (colourblindness, dwarfism, breast cancer)? None of the above I'd say - we can't direct our own evolution at all.

Answer 9

Human kind are not animals. They are given the right to rule over the animals on earth. Only human has a "holy spirit" given by God
...but all species created by God, may it be human, animals, plants, microbes can reproduce itself for generations.
They are MADE by God as such (self reproduction)...not that they have control over themselves...or made themselves viable for self reproductions...it`s a different thought and meaning.
We are all just a creation...and God has the right to take us away, ANYTIME.........

Answer 10

We can discuss evolution, but that does not me the traits we consciously select (artificial selection) will provide more fitness than the ones that give us a real advantage (sexual selection; natural selection). Let's face it: human breeding is far less controlled than animal husbandry.