Would our evolution dramatically slow down?

Question

Now that we have all this technology to get around all the problems we face...

Answer 1

In a sense, you're right! The standard theory of evolution states that only those who are best adapted to a specific environment will survive -- disseminating their genes to the next generations.

But, in the case of humans, we have created a society where what would be basically a deal-breaker in the wild is no longer a concern and genes can be transported through many generations. This, by definition, would slow down the process of natural selection and limit the evolutionary motion of the species.

That being said, there are still certain conditions that technology has yet to solve, and so could potentially dramatically affect the evolution of the species. For instance, if we suddenly were dramatically rationed in the amount of food we could eat, those with slower metabolisms would be able to live while those who must constantly eat to survive would die out -- causing an evolutionary change in the species. Same with global warming -- those who have darker skins and are able to more easily withstand higher temperatures might in the future be more inclined to survive as those who are light-skinned can not handle the increased sun's rays. This would, of course, also be a genetic evolutionary step.

Answer 2

I seriously wonder about the people who have tried to answer this question...


What you first need to ask is - what is evolution? Evolution is all about genetic change that is inheritable. These changes can occur by an error in DNA replication. This is not due to environment or anything - it's just a natural error.
So people who use words like "devolution" are stupid. Whether good or bad, it is still change so it is still called evolution.

Environment only really works if the genetic change results in a phenotype - like change in skin colour or whatever. But the majority of changes (mutations) do not result in a change of phenotype - they are silent.

The "problems we face" will not affect our mutation rate. What will affect our mutation rate is the number of DNA replications that we have. Bacteria replicate fast so they have high rates of evolution. Apes are slow, even for mammals. So in that sense, evolution has slowed down over the past million-or-so years for apes.

But, because of the medical treatments we now have, people who once would have had poor fitness (fitness being the ability to pass on genes to offspring) from medical conditions are now living long enough to have children. So, for the mutations that aren't silent, the "bad" mutations aren't being purged from the population.

Answer 3

Yes most definitely. Pressures have been removed from our existence and in fact biologically weak individuals are not only surviving, but in many instances far out reproducing the stronger individuals. Higher IQ and more successful people wait much longer to have children if at all. Because of this fact evolution is has almost reversed and we are breeding weaker traits. Have you ever noticed most of the time poor, lower IQ, or in some other way less successful biologically speaking people have the most kids! This is scary. This and the fact that of a long generation time causes our evolution to be VERY SLOW and moving away from biological success soemtimes. This is not always the case as very intelligent and successful people have offspring as well, just at a much lower rate.

Answer 4

A pretty reasonable assumption. However, it could be argued that now the main way humanity evolves is through it's society. Societal evolution certainly occurs on a much faster scale than biological evolution for humans.

Answer 5

Yes, humans are still evolving. And, there is no such thing as evolution going "backward". It goes wherever the most offspring are produced and survive to produce more offspring. Humans are evolving to have more diseases that can be cured by modern medicine. One of these days 100% of the population will have diabetis since it is a very heritable disease and can now be controled with medicine.

Answer 6

Our evolution has already "slowed down" in the past 500 years. If I understand right you mean will our evolution "slow down" because we don't have to make as many adaptations as in the past due to advancing technology? If that's what you mean, I would say you are correct.

Answer 7

"devoid of any unfavourable factor effects" Says who? A mutation sticks around if it improves survivability. it may reason a unfavourable factor impression yet nonetheless advance survivability. "yet in addition to offset the downward pull of the various risky mutations" No, organic decision weeds out the risky mutations. The "downward pull" in basic terms exists on your mind's eye. some human beings have 20/10 creative and prescient. some persons are double-jointed. some have ridiculously sluggish metabolisms that could help them stay to tell the tale a famine, yet no longer no longer kill them in the previous they're sufficiently previous to bypass on their genes. some have more advantageous skill to technique sounds, which comprise appropriate pitch. and so on.

Answer 8

Many scientists believe that we as humans have stopped evolving. This is because we are no longer having to adapt to the environment around us because we are continually adapting the environment to suit us instead, hence there is no physical need to evolve.

Answer 9

Remember Darwin's 'Survival of the Fittest'?
We no longer allow people who are not the fittest to neither breed nor die. We support the weaker members of our species.
We have effectively stopped evolution.
RoyS

Answer 10

I don't know, but I'll tell you one thing. Whenever the next ice age hits, or the next global catastrophe, the human race is in deep trouble!
Think about it, how many people do you know that are capable of catching their own dinner and making their own clothes etc?
I'm guessing that you don't know any, just like most people.