If you believe in evolution, a question

[Aurora63]

Not a debate, just a question.

I was watching Walking with Cavemen, and that got me thinking. If humans evolved, it makes sense that we would continue to evolve. BUT it seems like in evolution that we evolve due to response to our changing environment.

So, now we are at this point where we change the environment to suit our needs. What do you think this means when it comes to evolution? Will we stop evolving entiely, since now we can control the environment (to an extent) and it's easier for all to survive? Or will controlling the environment spur on eevolution in some unknown direction (i.e., developing some trait that helps us in the world we've created)

What do you think??

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

I actually believe that we are still evolving as a result of our environment, because of things we can control. As a result of growth hormones used by us to make bigger chickens and cows, and because of convenience foods and lack of excercise due to modern convenience, humans in general are taller and fatter than ever before. The average height and weight of the human being has increased signifigantly over the last few centuries.

I would like to note that I am not an evolutionist, and believe 100% that we were created. I do, however, also believe that human beings are constantly changing and evolving to survive in our environments, or as a result of them.

 

[C.Darwin]

what do you expect out of a few generations? did you want to develop a couple of extra fingers or something?

 

[Aurora63]

what do you expect out of a few generations? did you want to develop a couple of extra fingers or something?

Who said anything about a few generations???

 

[MrsPete]

I actually believe that we are still evolving as a result of our environment, because of things we can control. As a result of growth hormones used by us to make bigger chickens and cows, and because of convenience foods and lack of excercise due to modern convenience, humans in general are taller and fatter than ever before. The average height and weight of the human being has increased signifigantly over the last few centuries.

I would like to note that I am not an evolutionist, and believe 100% that we were created. I do, however, also believe that human beings are constantly changing and evolving to survive in our environments, or as a result of them.

I believe the same thing: we're created. If God chose to use the process of evolution to do that, he certainly could've done so; but to believe that life as we know it just "randomly shaped itself" takes way too much faith for me. If humankind as we know it evolved from one phase to another, God was certainly guiding the process along.

We've changed slightly over the course of a couple generations because of our environment; for example, I'm sure you've been to museums and looked at the old Civil war clothing -- the men's uniforms would be small on an average woman today. However, I don't think that's evolution; that's just a change in diet, which, if reversed by some twist of fate in the next generations, could disappear just as easily as it could continue.

I don't think that in any way proves or disproves evolution, or continued evolution. Humankind's basic body form hasn't changed -- still two arms, two legs . . .

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We are constantly evolving. We are getting weaker physically and we are our losing primal survival.

For ex....
When people "go off" on hunting I think they don't understand that it is really built into your DNA and a lost part of our evolution.

Eventually....hunting will be no more or it will become what we do to stay alive.

The people that know how to survive will...that is part of evolution.

 

[phillybeth]

Evolution is not really 'changing to fit your environment'- that is behavior.

Evolution is a change that has already happened at the level of DNA. Different environmental pressures and stresses may convey a survival advantage to that DNA change.

For example: For thousands of years, some grazing animals are born with longer necks than the others. In normal years, this is no advantage- grass is everywhere and having a longer neck is not helping or hurting the animals' ability to graze. However, in drought years, that longer neck allows those animals to eat leaves off of trees, rather than starve once all the grass is gone. So animals with longer necks survive longer in droughts, they reproduce more, and eventually you have a population of long-necked grazers- giraffes!

So, are humans 'still' evolving? Absolutely! Your DNA is mutating every second (really, it is). So will those tiny mutations be passed on to future generations, and will those changes confer some sort of advantage hundreds of thousands of years down the line? Who knows?

 

[golfgal]

Humans are most definitely still evolving . I remember going to the county history museum when I was in 6th grade and them showing us clothing from the era, 1860's. There wasn't a girl in our class that could fit into one of the dresses or put on the gloves they showed, this was just a bit over 100 years later. Heck, not long ago the average height for a woman was 5'3", it is more than that now.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I would disagree that size is evolution related. I think it is nutrient/ calorie related.

Now, true evolution would involve an extra set of hands for mothers, preferably with nipples on the fingers. My opinion, only!

 

[teacups]

what do you expect out of a few generations? did you want to develop a couple of extra fingers or something?

Sheesh... let the girl ask a question why not?

 

[golfgal]

I would disagree that size is evolution related. I think it is nutrient/ calorie related.

Now, true evolution would involve an extra set of hands for mothers, preferably with nipples on the fingers. My opnion, only!

There is some of that too but even my own generation grew up on a good healthy diet yet our kids are on average taller then their parents (or will be when full grown). Size has been an evolutionary tracker since the dawn of time.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I believe in evolution and we will continue to evolve. We might steer that evolution via altering our genes.

 

[phamton]

I think somethings are still changing. Years ago, certain genetic defects ( I hate using that word) would mean that children would die within a few years. Now, because of medical technology they often live to adulthood and reproduce. This may be considered as weakening the gene pool. And before anyone jumps on me for calling those with genetic diseases like Cystic Fibrosis and sickle cell anemia as defective, I am not. My first cousin whom I loved dearly was born with CF and died at 12 years old. I certainly don't wish that those with genetic diseases would die in childhood. I wish he were here now to be a grandfather. Who knows though, with modern medical advances, maybe all genetic diseases will be eliminated in the future if we learn how to manipulate our DNA.

Also because we are more mobile, we now can date, marry, and have children with people who are not of our ethninticity. We aren't isolated with one ethnic group which I think is a good thing. This may eliminate, in thousands of years, all races. Blondes, redheads, and blue eyes may be gone as this is a mostly a recessive gene. I think the people of the future may look to be one homogenous race.

 

[meandtheguys2]

There is some of that too but even my own generation grew up on a good healthy diet yet our kids are on average taller then their parents (or will be when full grown). Size has been an evolutionary tracker since the dawn of time.

Should have said entirely based on evolutution. It will be interesting to see if the trend continues as people live off a diet based on chemicals rather than nutrients.
From an evolutionary standpoint it should, by my criteria, not so much. Although one could make a point for it to be a step backwards, rather than evolving to eat the crap people eat!

 

[Muushka]

Do I believe in evolution? No.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I don't "believe" in evolution - I know it to be a scientific fact. - my IMHO, not to debate

- and. yes, we will continue to evolve. While our controlling the environmaent may mediate it to some extent, we can only control the environment to a point and so will not truly stop evolving....

I also agree with the Aidensmom below - the two (evol/creation) are not mutually exclusive!!!!!

 

[Aidensmom]

I believe we were created, but I also believe that evolution occurs. As others have mentioned, average height in humans continues to increase each generation. I also think that things like the fact that we can walk outside and breathe in our polluted air in the cities is adaptation of our pulmonary system - I don't think someone who lived 500 years ago would handle it as well.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I believe we were created, but I also believe that evolution occurs. As others have mentioned, average height in humans continues to increase each generation. I also think that things like the fact that we can walk outside and breathe in our polluted air in the cities is adaptation of our pulmonary system - I don't think someone who lived 500 years ago would handle it as well.

I have no problem with evolution, even though I'm religious. I don't think that the two have to be mutally exclusive.

I do have a question though-if we're evolving so well, how come I still have to shave my legs??? Shouldn't our use of clothing over eons have eliminated the need for all that excess body hair???

 

[salmoneous]

Natural Selection only works to change if there is an opportunity. At some point a species pretty much maximizes their niche and stops evolving. Crocodiles haven't changed in hundreds of millions of years. You just can't make a better Crocodile - at least not through the subtle mechanism of Natural Selection.

Personally, I don't see how Natural Selection could improve humans at this point (improve from an evolutionary standpoint). If there is any further change to our species, it will be things we do through genetic engineering, not Natural Selection.

Side note - to believe in evolution does not mean to not believe in a Creator. Many (if not most) people who believe in evolution have no problem with the idea that a Creator set the whole process in motion. The only question is whether the Creator has been tinkering and guiding the process, or just letting it happen. Considering all the problems and faults our forms have, I personally think it an insult to the Creator to say they guided this process along.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I have no problem with evolution, even though I'm religious. I don't think that the two have to be mutally exclusive.

I do have a question though-if we're evolving so well, how come I still have to shave my legs??? Shouldn't our use of clothing over eons have eliminated the need for all that excess body hair???

good point - could we also add female weight gain - with todays nutrition and health care is it really necessary for our bodies to be so ready to add on the padding in preparation for pregnancy!!!!