Wtahced a program a few weeks back on evolution as it applies to us. It charted how it helped us survive through things like the black death and how its still helping to a lesser degree dealing with HIV.
They went through a few scenarios and pointed out that the increase in some deseises (sp?) may be our fault but not in the way we think.
For example, many cancers would be instantly fatal without treatment, same with heart issues and severe disability. Historically these people would have passed away and not been able to reproduce meaning the defective gene lines would have ended. In the cases of hereditory cancers this should lead to the number of cases dropping off eventually. Obviously conditions we afflict on ourselves wouldnt be affects so much, but there would be more incentive not to become obese and keep fit.
The reasoning then was that we have stopped survival of the fittest by intervenening with medical care. They then when to africa and looked at a group of prostitutes that were repeatedly exposed to HIV yet have never been infected. A series of surveys show that as a race we are beginning to become resistant to HIV, in particular these women who are immune and survive to have children that are immune. So maybe we have just slowed it down but not stopped it.
Then last night there was another program on Discovery about real superhumans, which was just incredible. A guy that can regulate his own body temperature to the extent that he could rung a half marathon dressed in just pants, barefoot in arctic conditions. Another guy who could do amazing mathmatical feats in his head, a woman that can see music and the most amazing for me. A blind guy, born without eyes that can paint, complete with correct perspective, this guy has never been able to see!
Its interesting to thing that even the forces of nature that act on our own bodies cant be tamed and we do seem to be still evolving. In the wilds the 'ice man' as they called him would probobly pass on his ability, the ability to survive sub arctic conditions should and would have lead to a subspecies eventually. Maybe there really are x-men in the future, certainly makes you think.
