2007-05-09 15:09:42 · 6 answers · asked by robforgotit 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
Here is an example that illustrates this very thing. Years ago, I became concerned about this. I think that whenever we block natural selection we affect the evolutionary process. (It does not stop evolution, it just has an unnatural bent in the line.)
High numbers of C-section births negatively affect natural selection. I figured it it went unchecked, it could eventually lead to female bodies that are incapable of giving birth naturally.
Fertility treatment for those who cannot reproduce permits reproduction of the genetic make up that is the problem. Again, if unchecked, how long before the entire race has reproductivity problems.
So we end up in a world in which females cannot reproduce or give birth naturally. I am not too worried though, as I figure science and technology will fix it before it actually becomes a problem.
2007-05-13 05:02:35 · answer #1 · answered by Goldberry 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The majority of the improvements in mortality have occurred as result of better sanitation, shelter and food and has little to do with medicine/ surgery. Society is no longer selecting for strength or intelligence. In fact intelligent people tend to have smaller families and in an evolutionary sense are at a survival disadvantage. Perhaps evolution is selecting for those too dumb to use a condom!
2007-05-10 06:18:02 · answer #2 · answered by Vinay K 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is because evolution is based on people who are predisposed to illness or are not adapted to an enviornment not surviving, but now everyone can live a long life(or at least long enough to reproduce), causing evolution to be significantly slowed, if not stopped
2007-05-09 22:17:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Especially plastic surgery -- allowing the ugly to reproduce, and selecting for those that are good looking or can afford to have the surgery ... so not quite "stopping selection", as much as selecting for different traits.
2007-05-09 22:18:52 · answer #4 · answered by slik 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"Life-extending" surgery/medicine generally involves older people - people well past the age of reproduction. Therefore, this process does NOT affect the passing on of their genes.
2007-05-09 23:17:59 · answer #5 · answered by Doctor J 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
in a way yes...it is stopping the process of natural selection
2007-05-09 22:17:15 · answer #6 · answered by jessica39 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋