Thread: Evolution and modern technology

can modern technology have an effect on the evolution of humans?

Medical technology has influenced Human Evolution since the very first human was cured by medical technology and then went on to have children.

But what about things like domestic technology? could the littler things (phones, TV's, easy access to food, etc.) effect the way we evolve?

You could argue that those with access to modern medical care are more likely to pass on their genetics, but much of the third world is growing faster because of the sheer number of offspring they're having. I suppose having something like a cell-phone might increase your chances of reproducing since you would probably be more likely to contact an emergency service if you were in trouble.

A modern life in an advanced country with a minimum of warfare going on will have a greater number of people reaching the age of being able to procreate. However, many children that would have died because of genetic problems will also live to pass on their bad DNA. Maybe that's about to change with the current and future genetic knowledge increasing to the point of being able to fix genetic problems.

Also, those with beneficial genetic characteristics such as the ability to produce anti-malaria antibodies have a much higher chance of surviving to adulthood and passing on those genes.

You could argue that those with access to modern medical care are more likely to pass on their genetics, but much of the third world is growing faster because of the sheer number of offspring they're having.

Well. No.

The countries with the highest birthrates are those with a lot of deaths from violence - Afghanistan and Congo being the outstanding ones.

The world population is growing because of the number of offspring people have already had. Hans Rosling explains.

Hans Rosling: Religions and babies | Talk Video | TED.com

Originally Posted by Daecon

Also, those with beneficial genetic characteristics such as the ability to produce anti-malaria antibodies have a much higher chance of surviving to adulthood and passing on those genes.

Well, except one of those anti-malaria genes they pass on are also the genes for sickle cell anemia, which is non-beneficial. Evolution isn't always so straightforward.

Originally Posted by Gurkirat

can modern technology have an effect on the evolution of humans?

The answer is that technology has an obvious effect on our evolution and it can be demonstrated.
One of the results of modern tech is people are waiting much later into life before having children. The reason they wait is mostly career pressures.
This increases the mutation rate in the sex cells (eggs and sperm) which means increased variation in the species.
So having office jobs has increased the rate of evolutionary change.

Originally Posted by Gurkirat

can modern technology have an effect on the evolution of humans?

I don't think you are referring to genetic engineering here. More like how will the future population be equipped to better handle advancing technology. For example, is there a gene passed on that will make humans more capable of adapting to the nuances of advancing technology? What those adaptations would be I'm not sure. Maybe something like better eyesight, slimmer fingers with rapid movement just to cope with smaller cell phones and the urgency of delivering messages, I don't know.

selection pressures for literacy, passivity, and math skills.
All the result of relatively recent technological changes, probably less than 20,000 years for writing of any sort.