Can humans choose their evolutionary path?

Question

Since we have free will and are able to go into any corner of the planet to live, can we choose our evolutionary path based on where we choose to live for instance?

This is within reason, obviously we cannot live underwater on evolution alone. I'd really like to know perspectives on this one.

Oh I figured I should have said if by choosing to change our environment we can choose our path. That seems a tad clearer.

Answer 1

We already have, inadvertently, affected our own evolution, as well as the evolution of plants and animals around us, by way of migration, farming, etc.

For example, certain types of spiders only live in houses.
Many plants have larger fruits than their ancestors, because of humans selectively farming.
Cows have more milk and milder dispositions.
People have different levels of melanin in their skin, in order to absorb more sunlight in areas that are heated less directly by the Sun, or to prevent burning in areas where the sunlight hits the Earth more directly.
Sherpas have considerably higher levels of red blood cells than other human beings, for transporting and distributing oxygen.

Answer 2

The observe 'disrupted' implies countless issues that i'm undecided extremely persist with to the question to hand. ANY replace to our surroundings, bodies, behaviour, foodstuff, and intensely virtually the rest has the aptitude to electrify evolutionary outcomes. NO replace is probable to ever supply up the evolutionary technique altogether. the supply of sweaters skill that temperature isn't as numerous a topic for survival. Antibiotics do away with some micro organism as threats. removal of status water could additionally do away with ailment-spreading bugs. So confident, those sort of issues ought to doubtlessly have an effect. yet evaluate: people nevertheless die. as long as people die, some are probable to have reward that others do no longer, and thereby in all probability reason some sort of long-term evolutionary effect. There are people, as an occasion, who're thoroughly resistant to HIV. some each and every person is plenty extra companies to maximum cancers than others. some are gentle to latex, some to aspartame, and a few to cigarette smoke. those sort of issues ought to doubtlessly influence survival and reproduction. So do no longer problem approximately evolution struggling with any time quickly. distinctive transformations might predominate than if all of us nevertheless lived in caves, yet that infrequently skill they are actually not there in any respect!

Answer 3

It would be very difficult, but it would be possible. First of all, you would need a large population to move to a specific area (say, Antarctica). Otherwise there is basically no chance that the gene for surviving the cold will be present. Next you would need to assure that said gene would be passed down, which would require many people who have that gene (and therefore you would require an even larger population). Even then, the chances of surviving are still very slim.

Answer 4

To some extent. But major evolutionary changes are triggered by major environmental changes over which we have no control.

Answer 5

We already are through screening for genetic defects in in vitro fertilization.

As we learn more about molecular genetics it will be in our future capability to screen any potential fetus for genetic based disease, and then through bioengineered gene therapy, to correct it. From there, no only the elimination of disease, but genetic therapy to endow longevity, greater athleticism, more intelligence, etc.

Answer 6

Evolution is determined over time by adaptation to environment or circumstances.