Is evolution in humans possible with our society that we have today?

Question

If our society doesn't allow for natural selection, how are humans supposed to be evolving? I have heard researchers say that detached earlobes are a sign of evolution, but how is that going to affect the entire world population?

Answer 1

There is no Darwinian evolution taking place in humans. Detached earlobes are no more a sign of evolution than different colors of hair.

The only thing that has an effect on the gene pools of humans as a species lies in the fact that regions and therefore races or certain local gene pools are either reproducing or dieing faster than that of other regions.  

Answer 2

Maybe one day everyone's earlobes will be detached.

Ive heard of this theory, it's interesting. Are we, as humans, hurting the entire species by helping those in need?

Then, I think of the people I know with really uneducated parents, and I think of their (brilliant) kids. Thats when I get skeptical. If their parents got C's and D's in school and got pregnant in the Junior year, yet their kids are A students, it makes me wonder.

Answer 3

Why are more woman naturally conceiving multiples if our planet is over populated?  Why are people physically able to beat previously set records in the Olympics,  Why are children studying material that once was taught at college.  Why are people inventing new things?  Because people as a society are evolving physically, mentally.

Answer 4

eventually artificial evolution will outstrip natural evolution .expect races to merge. lifespan will increase gradually.

the first thing that will happen is a population crash caused by war . It should have an effect. People that drink from roses will likely survive in the short term.

Answer 5

Evolution occurs with each child born.

Natural selection may no longer be as great of a force, but it is definitely present, and more importantly, you can't neglect genetic drift and gene flow.  Gene flow has particularly become a greater force over time with globalization as intermarriages between populations and races become more common.

Then there's sexual selection, which continues to occur.  The things that we select for have changed, become exaggerated, or become less of an issue as time goes on.

Answer 6

Natural selections has other factors that would allow for humans to continue to evolve. First would be reconsolidation groups of the genetic material plays a very important role in evolution. Different birth rates of groups would cause large changes over a long period of time.  

Answer 7

Our society certainly does allow for natural selection.  Let me give you some examples:

1.  Sexual selection is a type of natural selection which determines which organisms will reproduce.  This is a strong force in our society.

2.  Humans are constantly responding to infectious agents by developing genetic defenses.   It has happened with malaria and the black plague.  This is happening right now for other diseases, HIV being the most obvious.

Answer 8

Yes, if we make it legal for stupid people to do stupid things again, like not wearing a seat belt. Either that, or you can do what Hitler tried to do and kill everyone who he deemed as inferior beings.

Answer 9

  Evolution is not even possible. We are never going to evolve

bio-luminescent flashlights on our hands. We are never going to evolve wings on our backs. We are never going to evolve sonar navigation systems. We are never going to evolve bombardier beetle firing cannons on our butts.

An organism cannot evolve new structures with new information.

    

     This is a fairy tail that is being swallowed up by the masses. It is part of a much bigger plan though. The powers that be in this world do believe that it is survival of the fittest and that they are the fittest. They are going to implement massive population control techniques, of which you will be on the loosing end.

  

     Jesus Christ told us to love our neighbor, not kill him because he is weaker. We have rarely followed this though. All of history is an example of killing, killing, killing. The future will not be much better. In fact, it will be far worse.

     Repent and follow Jesus Christ and not some fairy tale that says we all evolved from a rock and given enough time we will become like gods or something and fly around the universe and colonize different solar systems.  

Answer 10

Of course there is Darwinian evolution taking place!! Look around you.  There are certain sub-populations that are extremely fertile and they produce offspring that are even more fertile.  There are sections of our population that are extremely aggressive and they have been producing offspring that are more and more aggressive for a number of generations now.  This is also true for certain sub-populations that recognize that limiting the number of children provides more resources for the one (or few).  Unfortunately, these populations are decreasing in size even as they are increasing in wealth. I guess this can be classifies as negative evolution. Physical characteristics are not the only evolutionary pressures, behavioral ones can sometimes be more effective if they influence mating and offsprings.  

Natural selection dictates any attribute that encourages being passed on to subsequent generations. Not necessarily attributes that make you live longer. (Breeding age is 18-35) Attributes that will affect mating will be passed on most of all.  Like increased libido, and whatever is considered handsome or beautiful with respect to that particular society.  Evolutionary pressures cannot disappear, however, they can change depending on the circumstances.  For example, a strong immune sysem was vital hundreds of years ago for survival and was passed on to subsequent generations, but now other advantages are passed on. Like rapping and playing video games. LOL.

Answer 11

Natural selection creates sub species or a whole new gene pattern for a species.

But Evolution will never cease. Evolution is not only natural selection otherwise there would be no need for the name Evolution.

Evolution is like growing up you cant stop.

We still have Genetic drifts which can drive

Genetic drift- An independent process that produces random changes in the frequency of traits in a population. Genetic drift results from the role probability plays in whether a given trait will be passed on as individuals survive and reproduce.

They will survive and reproduce seeing that our health services are advanced

Blue eyes is an example of this there is no advantage or disadvantage to having blue eyes (so it is not subject to selective pressure), but in some populations, the trait just randomly became more common. It is much more common in smaller populations, or on isolation of a sub-population from the main population.

We are evolving to this day and will continue to.

Getting smarter

Aging slower

High intake of medicine has increased rates of Cancer

Obesity is becoming common unlike ever in human history

We are still getting faster at running

We are getting taller- over the last 150 years the average height of people in industrialized nations has increased approximately 10 centimeters (about four inches)

We are getting less hairier

etc etc etc we evolution is not something to be possible or impossible its life it will never cease unless all life ceases dead in its tracks