Biology - Human intervention in the process of evolution
Human intervention in the process of evolution
The knowledge and technological revolutions are intervening in the course
of evolution. Examples include:
* adding pollutants in our air, water, land affect survival of organisms;
* affecting biodiversity by habitat destruction, use of pesticides,
reducing the range of crop types etc.;
* the impact of reduced biodiversity on the evolution of species;
* advances in medicine which have meant that individuals who would have
died in earlier times, now survive and reproduce;
* genes which would have been selected against now remain in the gene poo
[1]l to be passed on to future generations; the incidence of carriers [2]
of certain human disorders is increasing
* unknown long term effects on ecosystems of transgenic [3]organisms;
* global warming and its impact on climate in the long term;
* reduction of the ozone layer and increase in mutation [4] rate due to
increase in UV radiation;
* biotechnological advances: the ability of humans to manipulate DNA to
change the genetic makeup of living things is perhaps the most powerful
tool available to change the course of evolution not only of humans but of
other species; living things to order.
The future evolution of humans and many other species is in our hands.
Being able to control our environment means that the effects of natural
selection are not as significant
