http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1070671/Evolution-stops-Future-Man-look-says-scientist.html
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Creationists are probably going to say: "That's just an excuse to explain why we can't observe evolution!" and: "Oh noes! They are going to bring back eugenics!"
I didn't watch the video. But, Evolution doesn't exactly stop.
Technically, it stops for humans... since the process is altered. We no longer depend on any mutations and die if we can't survive, or survive if we have a better trait than anyone else.
But is that evolution stopping, or just us taking control of it? How long before we can prevent genetic disorders by altering the genes themselves?
Evolution in terms of changing allelic frequencies (which is how evolution is defined now) has not stopped and will not until alleles go the fixation. However, western populations are not subject to natural selection, otherwise I would be allowed to run over the stupid kids playing in the street. It is actually us taking control of natural selection that has slowed evolution, it has not stopped.
QuoteHowever, western populations are not subject to natural selection, otherwise I would be allowed to run over the stupid kids playing in the street.
That is one of the funniest things I have ever heard and I agree completely. We have slowed evolution for ourselves and sped up the process for other animals. I remember this News Article about: 'Super-Predator' Humans Force Evolution in Animals. (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,479823,00.html) And I quote from it
QuoteIn a review of 34 studies that tracked 29 species across 40 different geographic systems, harvested and hunted populations are on average 20 percent smaller in body size than previous generations, and the age at which they first reproduce is on average 25 percent earlier.
Quote from: MrBogosity on January 20, 2009, 06:46:20 AM
But is that evolution stopping, or just us taking control of it? How long before we can prevent genetic disorders by altering the genes themselves?
i was thinking the same thing.
We humans rule!
Quote from: Tom S. Fox on January 20, 2009, 08:43:18 PM
We humans rule!
Actually, it's beetles.
Of course, in the way YOU meant, it is us, but previously it wasdinosaurs, further back was synapsid reptiles, then fish, and at the beginning, bacteria. In the distant future, I suspect that trees will cover most of the land, leaving the Sahara for grass. Further forward would be the reign of birds, including a giant songbird that walks flat on its feet.
Besides, we're the weakest species on the planet.
I still say the bacteria rule the planet. This is their world; they just let us live here.
We better stop using antibiotics, then.
Quote from: MrBogosity on January 25, 2009, 08:15:52 PM
I still say the bacteria rule the planet. This is their world; they just let us live here.
When you look at us, we really kinda suck.
Has anyone seen the pictures from the swearing in of Obama? The masses look like a bad rash, especially the picture they took over everyone around the Washington Monument.