Is this as good as it gets?

Geneticist contends human evolution may be grinding to a halt

The Press Association (10/7) reports that Professor Steve Jones, of the University College London, says that "human evolution is grinding to a halt," adding that "this is as good as it gets." In fact, he "believes the mechanisms of evolution are winding down in the human race." Jones explained that "there were three components to evolution — natural selection, mutation, and random change." He added, "In ancient times half our children would have died by the age of twenty," but "our life expectancy is now so good that eliminating all accidents and infectious diseases would only raise it by a further two years." Thus, "natural selection no longer has death as a handy tool."

Furthermore, according to Jones, "human social change often changes our genetic future," the U.K.’s Times (10/7, Belluz) adds. While "chemicals and radioactive pollution could alter genetics, one of the most important mutation triggers is advanced age in men." Jones pointed out that "every time there is a cell division, there is a chance of a mistake, a mutation, an error," and "for a 29-year old father [the mean age of reproduction in the West], there are around 300 divisions between the sperm that made him and the one he passes on." But "a drop in the number of older fathers will thus have a major effect on the rate of mutation."

The "third factor – randomness — is also an important ingredient in evolution," as "small populations which are isolated can change at random as genes are accidentally lost," the U.K.’s Daily Mail (10/7, Derbyshire) notes. Yet, "as the world’s population becomes increasingly connected, the opportunity for random change is dwindling." Jones concludes, "So, if you are worried about what Utopia is going to be like, don’t. At least in the developed world, and at least for the time being, you are living in it now."