Does Evolution cause Cancer?

Question

One major cause of Cancer is genetic mutations within the human genome...

Since many, if not most of you, point to the genetic mutations within certain bacteria that make then immune to certain antibiotics as evidence of the evolution of that bacteria...

As stated, Cancer can also be caused by genetic mutations, is that evolution?

Answer 1

Adaptation is often called evolution by people who do not understand the difference. No one knows for sure what causes cancer(s), but bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics is adaptation.

Cancer occurs when a mutation in a cell or group of cells causes it/them to grow abnormally in a way that is destructive to the host. Cancer covers a lot of ground---lots of different types of cancers, many of them quite different from the other.

Cancer(s) is/are a disease, not a genetic mutation. Genetics can make a person more suceptible to cancer(s) but they do not "cause" cancer.

Evolution is how people describe adaptations and changes and, yes, mutations in the life forms that (I believe) were created. Science attempts to describe these events, like the Big Bang and spontaneous generation and evolution, in ways that do not involve the existance of a Supreme Being. The results of these studies are accepted as fact. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around a fairly small, dense clump of matter that explodes 15 billion years ago and arranges itself into matter with orbiting electrons of various numbers and ends up as solar systems, planets, microbes, plants, fish, trees, coral reefs, dinosaurs, mammals, etc. The universe screams loudly to me that it was designed, carefully and slowly by the ultimate Engineer...

Answer 2

Heritable mutations are the ones that count for evolution. Most cancers are the result of somatic (not heritable) mutations. Many families have predispositions to cancers due to heritable mutations. Some few cancers (e.g. retinoblastoma) are a direct consequence of inherited mutation.

The odds are that over time these harmful mutations will be eliminated (which is not to say that new mutations will not occur in the same genes). That's evolution.

Answer 3

Genetic mutations are how evolution occurs. Only mutations that are beneficial to the survival of the species will be passed on.

The problem with cancer is that it often occurs late in life and so the genes have already been passed on. Evolution won't "phase it out" as the ultimate goal of any species is to survive. Species do this by passing on genes. Since people who die of cancer usually have already passed on these genes, it doesn't matter if they die (sadly).

I guess cancer could be considered neutral from an evolutionary perspective.

I hope that's not too confusing, its the simplest I can explain it - kind of rambley haha.

Answer 4

I think cancer is actually a Good thing for humanity. Many people think humans should fight cancer and solve the problem of cancer.

I think cancer is part of human evolution for the good of the specie. This could mean their kids will be born with better ways to fight diseases. Super humans are created that way.
We are living and fighting a battle with bugs of the world. A constant battle but no one know this and only a few scientists understand what I'm talking about.

Answer 5

Yes. Evolution is not necessarily good for an organism. This is why Natural Selection exists, to weed out those that it is not doing well for

Since the screwing up of Oncogenes is done in the DNA, there is a slight chance of it being passed onto offspring in the form of few or no Oncogenes (Resulting in a heavy chance of cancer). The slight chance comes in the form of how reproduction works (Half of your chromosomes from your mother, half from your father, added with the random mistakes that come from replicating DNA) and the fact that the amount of Oncogenes is dependent on the area of the body you are talking about (In the form of how all your Oncogenes could be screwed up in your elbow, and yet none in your thigh)

Answer 6

Actualy its the same genes that are passed down that make it hard for the body to battle freeradicles in the system. The freeradicles cause the mutation. Not evolution.

Answer 7

Evolution will be the natural process through which a living organism finds a permanent way to adapt, or efficiently eliminate the overwhelming chemical attack such as pesticides, lead, and the very long list of additives in food, such as colorants, food preservatives, flavor enhancers, etc.

Meanwhile, the body reacts the best way it can...

Until a MENTAL evolution gets rid of all the (profitable) pollution that while preserves food to avoid waste in massive productions and keep low the cost of refrigeration, exterminates health.

Answer 8

It's being found that most of these cancers and/or related genetic mutations are caused by opportunistic organisms infecting a compromised or not well equiped immune system. E.g. cervical cancer, human papillomavirus; stomach cancer, helicobacter pylori and linitis plastica

Answer 9

No. It is mutation.


Evolution occurs when a mutation provides some advantage to an animal that will cause that mutation to survive better than the other members of the species.

Answer 10

Yep, genetic mutations drive evolution. Some mutations can be harmful, and once in a while, a mutation can turn out to be beneficial.