How has Darwin's theory helped medicine?

Answer 1

"However, close examination of a whole raft of scientific data reveals the absence of virtually any empirical scientific evidence in support of the theory, either regarding the alleged spontaneous generation of life in first place, let alone the evolution of life forms from one species into another. If anything, the fossil evidence to date indicates the spontaneous appearance, without the existence of any earlier related life forms, of a vast number of life forms around 600 million years ago known as the 'Cambrian explosion', followed by very long periods (tens of millions of years) of minor changes occurring within species (a process known as Stasis) and the absence of any examples of possible evolutionary links between species prior to, during, or after this period."

In light of the above quote, It is safe to say that it really hasn't helped medicine, unless you count that as a result of trying to prove this theory, they have found out more about how the human body works.

Creationist maybe, but in my opinion, creationism and Darwin's Theory have yet to be proven either way.

Answer 2

Did you ever wonder why you need to have an new flu shot every year? The virus evolves and becomes immune to the drug given the previous year. This can be tracked to natural selection (only the viruses that were not killed by the vaccine the previous year were left to reproduce) as well as the idea that offspring resemble their parents. This idea can be broadened to other microbes and medications as well. Drug resistance is an issue for many diseases.

Darwin did not understand genetics, the idea was not available to him during his lifetime. He did understand that offspring shared characteristics with their parents. We use this idea when we ask for a family history. if your parents and grandparents have heart disease, you are probably at a high risk as well.

Some diseases have a "point." Sickle Cell Anemia is a condition that originated from malaria resistance. Only individuals with ancestors from areas where malaria is problematic are at risk for this disease.

Drug testing is based on the idea that we share characteristics with other organisms. This is why animals are used in drug testing.

Answer 3

sickle cell anemia and gapdh deficiency arose in humans as resistance against malaria. drug-resistant bacteria and viruses have increased in hospitals due to natural selection. we use the theory of evolution to understand how they have become resistant, and how to overcome resistance. we examine and derive molecular models of disease and physiologic pathways by comparing different species. our understanding of immunology has increased greatly from experimenting on mice and finding identical observations in humans. if we didn't know how related we were to other species, there would be no point to testing drugs on animals -- we might as well test our drugs on squids and alligators, rather than animals that are more akin to us. nobody with even half a brain disputes that evolution occurs. while some creationists want to pretend that no evolution occurs at all, the smartest ones (who are still not very smart) will only dispute the idea that organisms have common ancestors and that the earth is greater than 6000 years old. of course, they finally pardoned that heretic galileo in the year 2000 for saying crazy things like the earth goes around the sun. but don't hate the christians. hate christianity. maybe the real reason they're afraid of science is that we'll find that moses had the genes for schizophrenia, the "virgin" mary had hpv and died of cervical cancer, and jesus had the y chromosome of a black man. there's a saying -- nobody ever had to prove that zeus didn't exist. people just stopped believing. and that is what will happen to all religions sooner or later.

Answer 4

The influential geneticst and biologist (and Orthodox Christian) Theodesius Dobzhansky once wrote an essay entitled "Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of biology". Evolution - which of course has moved on from Darwin's original theory, but takes it as an inspiration - is the defining principle of all study in biology, medicine, genetics, etc.

Answer 5

Disease causing microbes evolve in responce to anti-biotics and other treatments which reduces the effectiveness of medication over time. This has been shown in particular with malaria which was subjected to a sustained campaign aimed at eradication from the 50's using DDT amongst other things. Malarial mosquitos evolved 2 DDT resistant strains and the malarial paracite itself has evolved to be resistant to drugs.
Other resistant forms of microbes include TB, MRSA, C.Dificil and HIV which is notorious for evolving new strains.
This is why people are told to complete courses of anti-biotics, to lower the chances of further resistant strains evolving.
It's also the reason for the Bird Flu worries as it may evolve into a human transmissable form.

Answer 6

Darwin's theory is abt natural selection. The development of antibiotics has caused directional selection of bacteria as bacteria have developed resistance against these antibiotics. With this we have to develop new antibiotics which has resulted in the advancement of medicine as well.

Answer 7

I don't think has, Darwin stated that only the stronger and superior ruled the world and survived. If anything, it seems that many of the stupid are the ones running this world

Answer 8

By understanding the concept of evolution at the species level, we can fine tune that to the molecular level. At the molecular level is where evolution is taking place and you then see it at the organism level. By understanding the evolution of DNA, proteins, fats, and sugars, we are able to understand how to synthesize drugs to combat diseases such as parkinsons, diabties, viruses, bacteria, etc..... Evolution has now allowed us to explore mechanisms of diseases as well as understanding drug resistance. Y

Answer 9

hasnt help medicine, but it allows us to understand why bacteria become immune to drugs. another reason that its not a theory but a law

Answer 10

it has helped biologists understand that only the fittest will survive. however, i dnt think it has been of great help in medicine but in understanding natural selection of life.