Do you think we will evolve further....?

Question

...if so how...?

Answer 1

Sigh....

I'm gonna just keep posting this until it sticks:

Here we go with the correct but still unpopular answer.

In order for evolution to proceed you need genetic variation that is acted upon by natural selection. Natural selection dictates that less fit individuals will reproduce less (or not at all) than more fit individuals. Without natural selection THERE IS NO EVOLUTION.

So, if you look at human beings, we've had the technology for centuries to assure that all humans (or at least a random sampling) reach adult reproductive age, regardless of fitness (those 6 billion people out there must be proof of that). Hence there is no natural selection in human populations, hence there is no evolution in human populations.

Human technologies may evolve, but humans as a species have stopped undergoing biological evolution long ago

Answer 2

I actually think that science is in strong danger of stopping human evolution. If evolution is survival of the fittest, with those possessing characteristics best suited to their environment surviving and reproducing, then what does that mean in a world where modern medicine means that strong and weak, fit and ill alike can both survive and thrive equally? There is a strong chance that we are currently at an evolutionary dead end, which of course brings up the question that if we humans don't evolve, will there come a point where we have done everything and learnt everything that it is possible for a human being to do and when there will be nothing new or original to discover?

I should actually have said natural evolutionary dead end. During this century we will very probably debate start on genetically modifying humans to make them stronger, smarter etc. So maybe we'll make ourselves evolve without any help from nature...

Answer 3

My understanding of evolution is that living creatures change in order to adapt to changes in the environment and that evolution depends on survival of the fittest (and most adaptable),

For evolution to work those creatures unable or unsuitable for adaption do not survive therefore do not pass on their unsuitable genes.

A really simplified example would be that those giraffes with shorter necks who could not reach their food source die whereas the longer necked giraffes survive and pass on the gene for long necks.

In respect of the human race I think evolution is now more difficult as many people with genetic faults survive due to medical science.

Despite the awful poverty in some areas of the world survival of the fittest is no longer a general human condition. Many babies and children who, a 100 years ago, would have died young now through better care and medical intervention survive and have children of their own.

A super race could evolve through selective breeding as I am sure that there is room for improvement both physically and intellectually. However that is the stuff of science fiction - isn't it?

Answer 4

Of course -- it's happening right now.
One example: scientists have found small groups of people that have a natural immunity to the AIDS virus. That's certainly an evolutionary advantage, don't you think? Odds are that over a long period of time, those most susceptible to AIDS will die out without reproducing, while those with the natural immunity will reproduce more (living longer lives), and so the AIDS immunity will become more widespread.

Humans are unique in that we can direct (intentionally or inadvertently) evolution in ways that other animals can't. In some ways this can be detrimental -- medical science can now keep people alive who would have died shortly after birth a few hundred years ago from diseases or genetic defects...instead of those genetic defects or susecptibility to disease dying out naturally, those people now pass on their traits, meaning that medical science MUST intervene to keep their children alive. That's us affecting what would naturally happen with evolution.

Who knows what else will happen? Traits that give us an advantage to survive in a changing world will show up and thrive, traits that are really detrimental will eventually die out despite medical science. But big changes take a long, long, time to be expressed, so don't expect to see humans with vast new capabilities (naturally) any time soon :)

Answer 5

With a wheel growing on the end of each arrm and lllegg and a headlight in my forhead, I 'am hhhaving a few brrrrr brrrr prrrobs. in key tappiing this in. My evolved mmmotor mechanismmm brrrr brrrr is a toppp secrett. No hoooter, I just tell 'em to shovve out the way!!

I'm lucccccky, my ccousin's a no.23 bus in Tooting! Brrrrrrr!

Answer 6

I think we will definitely evolve further...but that evolution will be more along the lines of developing resistance to certain diseases. And perhaps we will also evolve better use of our brains.

Also, I'm all for genetic modification if it improves the lives of humans. I think genetic modification would be useful to locate genes that are responsible for the development of certain diseases. But I am against it if it'll be used to create a "master race" of superhumans.

Answer 7

What do you mean further?
We have not evolved ever.

If anything we are devolving. The human gene pool is degrading due to mutations.

Evolutionists claim that mutations result in upwards evolution - an increase of information over time. What we observe is the opposite - a loss of information.

Answer 8

Evolution as fueled by the "survival of the fittest" sense is based on the simple idea that the members of a species better equiped to survive have a better chance of mating and passing on whatever charactaristic aided their survival. So, we have to look at what is killing people, and if some people could have a genetic advantage. We don't have nearly as many significant ways to die before we're old enough to have offspring, so I'd say evolution is probably occuring much more slowly than it did for our ancestors.

Stupid people have no problem breeding, so I wouldn't watch for increased intellect.

Maybe we'll evolve to stop craving McDonald's. Statistics aren't supporting that theory though.

Answer 9

Of course we will; it's totally arrogant to think that we are the finished article and we can't get any better. Although it'll probably take much longer for us to evolve any further, given the changes we've brought about to our own world, I do think there's more to come from mankind as a species.

I imagine our bodies will become much less (for want of a better word) useful, as we'll be able to control our own world without having to physically move or touch things; the power of the mind, you see...

Answer 10

Our evolution has slowed due to our own success. People no longer die as a result of genetic defects and can lead a full life passing on their DNA to their children. We have also got to the point where competition for food/mates is no longer fatal (mostly). These two points are intergral to the "survival of the fittest". Unfortunatly for survival of the fittest to work everyone else has to die.

I'd rather not evole as quickly.