The Current Evidence of Human Evolution - Essay Example

The Current Evidence of Human Evolution Human beings are thought to have evolved more than six million years ago (Platter 2009). Studies have shown that human beings evolved in stages by adapting to changes in their natural environment. According to Charles Darwin, human beings evolved through natural selection (Harrel 2009). In this regard, Homo sapiens, which is regarded the current human being is said to have evolved from Homo erectors. Evidence of the evolvement of Homo sapiens from Homo erectors have mainly been provided through analysis of human fossils that have shown that certain changes did occur in the brain and body size, diet, movement, and other aspects related to the human way of life. The changes in the millions of stone tools, paintings, figurine, and footprints have also helped in understanding of the evolution of Homo sapiens. These evidences showed clearly how Homo sapiens evolved from homo erectors. Other studies have also focused on the human genetics that have pointed out how close human beings are close to primates such as chimpanzees (Harrel 2009). Nonetheless, since the emergence of Homo sapiens several years ago, many people including anthropologists have concluded that evolution had stopped. However, recent scientific research has discovered that human evolution is still an ongoing process. The new evidence provides a better understanding of how Homo sapiens evolved as a species (Wade 2010). Some of the recent studies provide evidence of human evolution. One such is recent evidence, which has shown that the human brain has been continually shrinking for more than five centuries. From this evidence, one can certainly understand how Homo sapiens evolved to a species. The other is a research conducted in Quebec, Canada, which have shown evidence of a genetic push towards a younger age at larger families and first reproduction. The research was conducted by the University of Quebec Canada, by examining church records of all residents of Ile aux Coudres located in northeast Quebec City between 1799 and 1940. Researchers then used the data to track the ages at which women in the city had their first-born children (Wade 2010). According to research, the average age of the women’s first reproduction dropped to 22 down from 26. This study, according to Keim (2011) supported the idea that increasingly younger birth ages are hugely influenced by changes in the genetic makeup caused by natural selection. This means that the ability of a woman to give birth at a younger age is dependent on the inherited genetic traits, according to Keim (2011). This evidence provides a clue as to how Homo sapiens evolved into a species. Another research conducted in Northern Europe and Africa has shown evidence of human evolution. According to this study, it was discovered that people living in these regions have developed the ability to tolerate lactose in their diets. This form of evolution, according to scientists was due to cultural reliance on milk as a product of agriculture (Harrel 2009). Ways in which current understanding of human evolution effect how we may evolve in the future? From the current evidence of modern evolution, it becomes apparent that humans may continue to evolve in the future. This is attributed to the selective pressures that humans are likely to encounter in the future thereby resulting in continued evolution. For instance, we might make an educated speculation that future human beings might end up lacking the wisdom teeth (Wade 2010). Research indicates that a majority consider their wisdom teeth as things that should be removed surgically before they begin to erupt. The main reasons being that modern humans have small jaws that do not require wisdom teeth. The main belief is that, wisdom teeth are vestigial molars, which evolved in ancestral humans at a time when jaws were bigger, and most diets were hard that required strong jaws. It is no wonder wisdom teeth continue to disappear. For instance, research indicates that about 35% of people are nowadays born without wisdom teeth. In addition, evidence also shows that many children are nowadays born with just one, two, or three wisdom teeth. A study shows that when traits are not needed, evolution tends to favor the elimination of such traits to save the unnecessary energy it utilizes to develop it. Therefore, future humans may lack the entire wisdom teeth (Wade 2010). The current evidence of human evolution also points that race differences may soon disappear. According to evidence of evolution, gene flow is one of the key forces of evolution. This takes place as long as there is an open mixing of genetic makeup between populations. This is currently happening at an unprecedented rate. Globalization has increased breeding among people of diverse races. This result in a gene flow that might result in the disappearance of racial differences among humans. As a result, all races will soon blend. This might see future human look more alike than it is today (Harrel 2009). From the evidence of current evolution, one can argue that future humans will have less hair that they have today. Humans are currently regarded the hairless of all apes. Study has shown that humans have far less hair than the apes and hominid ancestors. Charles Darwin considered body hair as a vestigial structure in humans. In this regard, a study has shown that clothing combined with heating and conditioning made possible by technological advancements has prevented body insulation. As a result, future humans are likely to have less body hair than they do presently (Platter 2009). Based on recent evidence of human evolution, it becomes apparent that future humans may end up becoming physically weaker and prone to diseases than they are now. As earlier stated, evolution mainly favors the removal of traits that are not required. Physical strength is one of the traits that require elimination according to a study (Platter 2009). According to a research, modern humans no longer need big muscles to perform feast of strength, as did the ancestors. This is because modern humans use machines and technology to perform various tasks. Studies have also proved this by showing that present human beings are weaker than their distant ancestors are. This clearly points that future humans may become weaker that they are presently, according to Platter (2009). In addition, future humans may become susceptible to pathogens due to weak immune system. Despite the fact that modern technology has improved health of modern humans, it has also weakened the human immune system due to lack of enough work to do. As a result, the immune system of present human is less needed that it was for the ancestors. As a result, the future humans might have to rely on technology for treatment (Bostron 2009). Finally, the future humans may become more resistant to heart diseases and diabetes. According to recent research, diabetes and heart diseases are some of the leading causes of death in developed countries today. This is attributed mainly to modern diets composed of high calories. Therefore, there is already ongoing pressure to make future humans adapt to these diets so as to become more resistant to these diseases (Bostron 2009). References Bostron, N 2009, The future of human evolution. Future of Humanity Institute. Viewed 28 April 2013 http://www.nickbostrom.com/fut/evolution.html. Harrel, E 2009, Darwin lives! Modern humans are still evolving. Time. Oct. 23 2009, viewed 28 April 2013, http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1931757,00.html. Keim, B 2011, Recent human evolution, detected in Quebec town history. Wired, viewed 28 April 2013 http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/10/recent-human-evolution/. Platter, B.E 2009, Evidence of contemporary modern human evolution contained within the human genome. Lethbridge Undergraduate Research Journal. Volume 4 Number 1. Wade, N 2010, Adventures in very recent evolution. New York Times, July 19, 2010, viewed 28 April 2013 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/20/science/20adapt.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0. Read More