Re: Is the human race with modern medecine not evolving downward?

Dave Wallace wrote:

> Could someone on the list please explain to me why at least for humans,
> descent is not true in both senses. Both modern medicine and things
> like controlled environments seem to be allowing individuals to survive
> to have children that in the past would not have occurred. I realize
> that controlled environments are a mixed blessing, but at least having
> heat when the temperature is -30 out, does help lung conditions. . For
> example I have serious asthma and have had so since at least 5 years of
> age. In my senior year of high school we were at emerg at least two
> nights of most weeks getting adrenaline shots and that was when my
> atomizer, pills and allergy shots failed to control things. Between
> ages of 16 and 23 I was determined not to have children and still at
> times wonder if I did right when I see allergies in my children and
> grandchildren.
>

It would seem the nature of the natural selection has changed. Indeed,
even for the rest of the flora and fauna on the plant in fact, due to
human activity.

But as to the issue of allergies, that is very complex. It may have been
a large combination of events that all conspired at a wrong moment
where the network of Th1, B cells etc went off. It can be what
you were exposed to, or when you were exposed to it. For most of the
history of mankind, the issue has been a fight against disease. So that
is where the greatest amount of evolution would have been happening,
but as we change the selection process, it seems quite resonable that
given a long period of time, some impact may be observed.

I don't take lightly that closing remark I usually include. But I do think
we can reflect that it by Grace that we were able to live and proceed.
----
Wayne
Received on Sat Mar 25 21:59:47 2006