Man is not descended from monkeys! The biggest misunderstandings of evolution #2

in #science5 years ago


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4 - Evolution does not improve living beings
The evolutionary chain seems to have been a steady path from simple unicellular organisms to complicated humans - but this is a very superficial approach. Evolution is always creating creatures that are not as perfectly adapted to their environment as they should be. However, they usually die out quickly, so that we read little about them today. Evolutionary history is also written by the winners.

One and the same gene can have two effects
The disadvantages of evolution can even be shown in humans. The African people in South Africa, for example, have a gene that maintains bone density even in old age. Seniors break their bones less often and therefore have a better chance of living longer.

However, this only applies if a tribe member inherits the gene from only one parent. Inheriting it from mother and father leads to a serious bone disease called "sclerosteosis". This causes the bones to grow too fast, leading to brain damage and early death. Evolutionary seen not exactly an advantage.

5 - Evolution is not "survival of the strongest".
Evolution does not only favour those creatures of a population that are best adapted to their living conditions. They will survive in any case, but everyone else has a chance as well. Therefore, the expression "survival of those just adapted enough" would be more appropriate.

This is because of how evolution works. Those creatures that survive long enough to reproduce can pass on their genes. In any case, this is the herbivore who is faster than all his fellow predators and thus escapes every predator - but also the one who is much slower, but just a little faster than the worst predator.