What do you think about the possibility of using evolution for practical purposes as far as the human race goes? Do you think that humans can use natural selection to improve humanity and should we? Why or why not?
2007-11-14 08:03:33 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Canadian Atheist: I know it's been tried and I know it's called eugenics. I'm just veiling my question for the less informed. Treating evolution as a religious construct (as the Nazis did) led down a predictable path. With so many atheists approaching it the same way in modern times and even going so far as to advocate its use (in Britain via abortion), I'm curious as to who supports these methods. And why do those who support them claim to be affiliated with the opposite end of the political spectrum?
2007-11-14 08:09:57 · update #1
toogethr: Are you suggesting that humanity is not part of nature? Isn't that the exact opposite principle of evolution?
2007-11-14 08:11:19 · update #2
Dr. R PhD in Revolution: You are again relying on the idea that humanity is not part of nature. Are you saying that animals that kill the weakest of their litter are not contributing to evolution? Why should humanity not do the same?
2007-11-14 08:25:11 · update #3
Since it would involve restricting reproductive rights (if you're saying natural selection), and there would have to be someone controlling the process, I say no.
It's possible that we could, but I don't think we should.
Now, genetic manipulation I'm not so set against. That's quite a ways off, though.
2007-11-14 08:07:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Humans use evolutionary science every day to improve the human condition. It's called MEDICINE.
I should note also that once Natural Selection is "used" by humans, it becomes artificial selection. It is still evolution, however.
2007-11-14 16:12:15 · answer #2 · answered by coralsnayk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not evolution. Not directed evolution (look up eugenics).
It may become possible to repair genetic defects by some sort of biochemical process in the future.
2007-11-14 16:07:41 · answer #3 · answered by cosmo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think natural selection happens all on its own.
Personally I think that we are about to start integrating our technology with our bodies. That is going to dramatically change the mechanism of our evolution.
2007-11-14 16:08:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
We have tried it in the USA (during the 20's and early 30's, through forced sterilization of certain women). It didn't go over very well.
2007-11-14 16:09:27 · answer #5 · answered by Blackacre 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Given how slow evolution is and that within a few decades we will be able to modify the genome directly I can't see the point.
2007-11-14 16:10:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
What you are talking about is called Eugenics and it's been tried.
Genetic manipulation is the way to go.
2007-11-14 16:06:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
what toogethr meant was that it wouldn't be natural selection because that means there is no outside interference and is just beings reproducing with any they can. artificial selection is someone choosing who reproduces with who.
no we shouldn't do that. reproduce with who you want not with who someone tells you to.
2007-11-14 16:21:02 · answer #8 · answered by Dr. R PhD in Revolution 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Who gets to decide what is or is not a profitable trait? That is very dangerous ground to step on and I don;t believe that God will allow us to go there!
2007-11-14 16:19:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
You can't "use" natural selection - otherwise it wouldn't be 'natural' selection it would be 'artifical selection'.
2007-11-14 16:08:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋