People cannot predict their own evolution

Changes in modern technology will push human evolution in ways that we cannot predict.

- Modern close relatives with thick noses, long skulls, large bone structure, may have red hair and freckled skin. When traveling on the subway, you probably won't notice people who look like that but surely, you will look back again to see clearly if you encounter dark skinned nomads. light blue and green eyes. These nomadic people lived popularly in Europe from 7,000 to 8,000 years ago.

They migrated from the Middle East for centuries and now they look like most of the Southern European population today with brown eyes, lighter skin

The first farmers who relied on milk, had lactose intolerant genes that were almost never seen in nomadic residents. They eat less meat and eat more starch than the ancient European carnivores. They drink milk and sun to absorb vitamin D - so they have lighter skin. As for black people, blue eyes have completely disappeared from Europe when invaders poured into this place.

This is a story depicting the extremely rapid evolution of mankind. New lifestyles - focusing on farming and livestock (not hunting as before) have led to the rapid development of genes to adapt to new cultures. Human black ancestors - perhaps originating in Africa, seem to be at a disadvantage if they receive energy from grain, not from wild meat, rich in vitamin D.

Unpredictable human evolution.(Photo: Nik.vuk).

When it comes to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, we often think this process takes place very slowly: naturally choose the most adaptable organisms to reproduce, multiply and survive in any birth system. Thai. This process is also called 'natural selection'. It can be understood simply that organisms that are best adapted to specific circumstances, will transmit many genes that carry this characteristic to the next generation.

Permanent changes - like we see in fossil records, it takes more time. Just look at the example of the Hyracotherium species we will see. This is a forest mammal, about the size of a puppy, which gradually loses its toes on the sides (four on the forelegs and three on the hind legs) when its body plays development. It takes 55 million years for this species to grow into a large, single-hooved and herbivorous horse we know today.

But sometimes evolution is faster, as biologists Peter and Rosemary Grant at Princeton University in New Jersey have shown in their studies of Galapagos finches. Small beaks can become bigger - within a generation, depending on climatic conditions and the food found on these harsh islands. Small beaks can become extinct, while large beaks dominate - at least for a certain period of time.

But these rapid changes do not last forever. Mr. Grants witnessed the whole process of evolution and he found it changing and returning again, the process repeated. Because when there is a change in food again, large beaks turn out to be useless, and there is a re-emergence of small beaks. The small change that takes place in a short period of time is called 'micro evolution'.

Two evolutionary biologists - David Lahti of the University of Queens and Paul W Ewald of Louisville University all claim that there is nothing unusual in this process. Rapid changes - transient or prolonged - simply reflect the intensity of the choice: predatory species, hot, cold, parasites. Difficult times make some species extinct but make some grow extremely fast.

But in order to have a fast evolution, you must have enough genetic variation in the area of ​​the potential gene to make the choice possible. Like the ancient European farmers quickly replaced the nomadic group. Light-colored skin dominates the dark-skinned gene because these genes are more suitable for European environments and new lifestyles.

Lahti also added that for people, social selection becomes very important: the presence of hostile groups and the ability to cooperate has created a complex in society and the evolution of the ministry. brain. We do not know whether the connection between European nomads and Middle Eastern farmers is friendly or hostile. Perhaps, in ancient Europe, there were clashes; also, there have been peaceful talks. All we see is only the result of penetrating a set of characteristics into a group of people, and they 'eat in life' in that group of people.

Of course, blond hair and light skin are identifiable traits of Europeans living far away in the north, and pale skin can be an adaptation to vitamin D deficiency, while darker skin remains outstanding. in hot weather conditions. When climate changes, there will probably be many changes and adaptations in humans that we cannot predict.

The evolution of humans and the forces it creates will never stop. Some people prefer genetic theory, and their children will be more likely to survive. It is the nature of natural choice. And so human adaptation and evolution always takes place.

As a species in nature, it cannot be said that we are progressing in a particular direction - larger heads and larger parts - as sci-fi films still draw. However, at a smaller level, adaptation and natural selection are always active. We change so that people can cope with new kinds of diseases, climate change, new social selection processes. And now, we cannot "see" how that process happens.