Ghost of a flea: Postdiluvian

? The Wandering Preachers | Main | The Threshold HouseBoys Choir: A Time of Happening ?

December 14, 2007

Postdiluvian

DNA mapping suggests humans have undergone genetic change over the last 5000 years at 100 times the rate of any previous period in human evolution; interesting given what I think is a widely held assumption that somehow these processes no longer apply to us. Language, tool use and civilization have served to insulate us from nature in tooth and claw but if anything these same developments have accelerated the process of making new varieties of people. Given massive increases in human population over the last five thousand years (or so) due to the invention of agriculture, I suppose it is not surprising that - alongside many other traits - genetic adaptation against epidemic disease or toward better digestion of protein rich foods including wheat and milk would be favourably selected.

(Utah anthropologist, Henry) Harpending said the genetic evidence shows that people worldwide have been getting less similar rather than more similar due to the relatively recent genetic changes. Genes have evolved relatively quickly in Africa, Asia and Europe but almost all of the changes have been unique to their corner of the world. This is the case, he said, because since humans dispersed from Africa to other parts of the world about 40,000 years ago, there has not been much flow of genes between the regions.

If civilization survives the next fifty years, I expect intentional DNA modification to introduce a new direction to our evolution as we move to prevent or ameliorate genetic disorders. I except cosmetic use of DNA modification to be an even bigger factor. Moral panics about the disappearance of blond(e), blue eyed Nietzschean beast people of the north tend to discount the number of trendies in Japan or Dubai who shall set about creating expensive new tribes of genetically modified pseudo-elves amongst themselves. It is either sharia or girls with purple hair; I know which side I am rooting for.

Posted by Ghost of a flea at December 14, 2007 06:51 AM

Comments

Purple hair is awesome... the wife is waiting for the right time to do hers in electric blue...

Posted by: Chad at December 14, 2007 07:49 PM

I for one support the purple haired masses. Up with purpality, down with the hidden faces and lopping off of hands.

I am sure our state of multiculturalism, though too short in existence to actually affect genetics of our nation, has a direct effect on the selective breeding habits of the various groups.

Posted by: Gorthos at December 15, 2007 07:47 AM