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Evolution stops here: Future Man will look the same, says scientist
By David Derbyshire Last updated at 12:02 AM on 07th October 2008
For centuries, writers have attempted to predict the future of the human race.
Some have argued that we are destined to evolve into super-beings, others that we are turning into dim-witted goblins incapable of anything more demanding than watching TV.
But according to a leading geneticist, both visions are wrong because human evolution has ground to a halt.
From ape to modern man: A leading geneticist told a lecture human evolution has ground to a halt
Professor Steve Jones, of University College London, says the forces driving evolution - such as natural selection and genetic mutation - no longer play an important role in our lives.
The people living one million years from now, should Man survive, will resemble modern-day humans.
'We now know so much about the process of evolution that we can make some predictions about what might happen in future,' said Professor Jones in a lecture on Monday.
Evolution is driven by natural selection and mutation. Genetic mutations create traits which, if helpful, give individuals a competitive edge over rivals.
For most of human history, life was so tough that huge numbers of children died before they reached adolescence.
In a harsh environment where people are competing to survive, natural selection is a potent force.
So in Ice Age Britain, a mutation which gave a baby more resilience against the cold or famine also gave it a strong competitive edge, making it more likely to survive and pass its genes on to others.
But in a modern world of central heating and plenty of food, the same mutation is far less likely to give a child any advantage.
Professor Jones argues that mutation is also slowing down because of a drop in the number of older fathers, whose sperm deteriorates and contains more genetic 'mistakes'.
A third factor - randomness - is also an important ingredient in evolution.
Small populations which are isolated can change at random as genes are accidentally lost, he said.
But as the world's population becomes increasingly connected, the opportunity for random change is dwindling.
'Almost everywhere, inbreeding is becoming less common. In Britain, one marriage in 50 or so is between members of a different ethnic group, and the country is one of the most sexually open in the world.
'We are mixing into a global mass, and the future is brown.
'So, if you are worried about what Utopia is going to be like, don't. At least in the developed world, and at least for the time being, you are living in it now.'
Explorateur Member # 14778
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quote:
'We are mixing into a global mass, and the future is brown.
Is that process not in itself a form of evolution?
BTW, I always find these caricatures of evolution from ape-to-hominid *straight away* to some 'anatomically modern' naked pale skin dude entertaining.
Djehuti Member # 6698
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^ Me too, especially considering humankind evolved in Africa with 'black' being the original state for all humankind.
Doug M Member # 7650
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Basically the modern technological advances that have enabled humans to travel around the world in a very short period of time, coupled with modern medicine, makes the isolation of populations and both random mutation and natural selection less of a factor in human diversity. All the major diseases that are cured by medicine also short circuit this process, because if left alone, such diseases would naturally phase themselves out as a result of natural selection (people with the disease dying off). But humans are still evolving, but with LESS genetic diversity than has existed in the past.
Egmond Codfried Member # 15683
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Eurocentric Fertilizer!
quote: Evolution is driven by natural selection and mutation. Genetic mutations create traits which, if helpful, give individuals a competitive edge over rivals.
Evolution is a very slow process and as we are part of this, we cannot monitor or predict it. Many mutants are automatically rejected from the womb, praise god. But some do live, but really are not superhuman's. In spite of what Hollywood shows us about mutated superheroes! Just failed experiments of Mother Nature, but should be left in peace. In Holland and Belgium they give these children's hormones so they will remain forever children and manageable.
Then there is a percentage who become con-artist, preying at people's kindness of heart. As we experience now on this very forum.
Alive-(What Box) Member # 10819
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looks like curious george
HORUS of EDFU Member # 11484
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A picture says a thousand words.
Add a few pints of beer to the image and gleam the fragility and insanity of white supremacy.
rasol Member # 4592
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quote:Evolution is a very slow process and as we are part of this, we cannot monitor or predict it.
^ We are a part of all processes that we observe.
This fact does not prevent observation.
And processess that are slow - earth revolving around the sun - are no less predictable than those which are fast - such as electrons revolving around the nucleus of an atom.
Your posts don't make sense.
Jari-Ankhamun Member # 14451
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quote:Originally posted by Explorateur:
quote:
'We are mixing into a global mass, and the future is brown.
Is that process not in itself a form of evolution?
BTW, I always find these caricatures of evolution from ape-to-hominid *straight away* to some 'anatomically modern' naked pale skin dude entertaining.
I always had a hunch that Humans were originally "Brown" to begin with...
Knowledgeiskey718 Member # 15400
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quote:Originally posted by Jari-Ankhamun:
quote:Originally posted by Explorateur:
quote:
'We are mixing into a global mass, and the future is brown.
Is that process not in itself a form of evolution?
BTW, I always find these caricatures of evolution from ape-to-hominid *straight away* to some 'anatomically modern' naked pale skin dude entertaining.
I always had a hunch that Humans were originally "Brown" to begin with...
Dark skin evolved with the loss of 'fur' in hominids and is the original state of all homo sapiens. - Jablonski. [2000]
The original human population would have been very dark, similar to, today's equatorial Africans. - Jablonski [2006]
By 1.2 million years ago, all people having descendants today had exactly the receptor protein of today's Africans; their skin was Black, and the intense sun *killed off the progeny with any whiter skin* that resulted from mutational variation in the receptor protein- - (Rogers 2004:107).
Grumman Member # 14051
posted ''...and the intense sun *killed off the progeny with any whiter skin* that resulted from mutational variation in the receptor protein.''- - (Rogers 2004:107).
...yet the white, or whiter, skin is 6-12 thousand years old? By 1.2 million years ago some skin was whiter? Really! Can I get an explanation up in heah.
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