2007-07-18 07:19:04 · 4 answers · asked by G.xi 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Hi. Evolution is the change in genetic material over time. These changes are brought about chiefly through random mutation and "selective pressure" in which the weakest mutants reproduce less.
War is certainly a selective pressure on humans (not to mention the rest of the biome). It involves the culling of huge numbers of people. However I think it is unclear if any one trait is going to be a large advantage or disadvantage. Death in war seems random, which is unlike nautral selective pressures.
The american armed forces are staffed by brave individuals who by and large come from undereducated, economically challenged backgrounds. War kills the poor.
2007-07-18 14:42:14 · answer #1 · answered by michaelhobbsphd 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Evolution is a change in the genetic makeup of a population over time. One might be able to consider war a selective force that shapes the direction of evolution, but it is not one type of evolution. For example a very huge war might be able to alter the genetic makeup of the remaining population which would lead to a change in gene frequencies in the next generation (like a population bottleneck or the founder effect).
2007-07-18 14:31:43 · answer #2 · answered by hcbiochem 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The desire to make war against a perceived enemy is an evolved trait.
War itself is a result of evolution, whether it be fought hand-to-hand, with sticks and stones or with nuclear weapons.
2007-07-18 15:11:58 · answer #3 · answered by Joan H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's an interesting way of looking at evolution. If you use survival of the fittest then maybe there is correlation.
2007-07-18 14:29:49 · answer #4 · answered by Martin K 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋