Trusted, Automoderated users
17,538
edits
Mutation: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
→Some mutations are good
| Line 48: | Line 48: | ||
== Some mutations are good == | == Some mutations are good == | ||
Even though the vast majority | Even though the vast majority of mutations are deleterious, some mutations are good. An example is the ACTN3 gene giving West African sprinters faster fast-twitch muscle fibers and therefore a faster sprint spreed. | ||
Ugliness does not necessarily worsen the gene pool as it is only weakly related to disease. However, various genetic diseases, functional and cognitive impairment do warrant concern and reduce overall population viability if maintained in the gene pool (dysgenics). Fortunately, we will possibly be able to fix diseases via gene editing in near future.<ref>https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/08/02/540975224/scientists-precisely-edit-dna-in-human-embryos-to-fix-a-disease-gene?t=1577487765548</ref> | |||
Even though some mutations are beneficial, the news media only focus on deleterious mutations, presumably because bad news is more attention grabbing.<ref>https://www.adweek.com/digital/bad-news-negative-headlines-get-much-more-attention/</ref> People are also hardwired to | Even though some mutations are beneficial, the news media ''only'' focus on deleterious mutations, presumably because bad news is more attention grabbing.<ref>https://www.adweek.com/digital/bad-news-negative-headlines-get-much-more-attention/</ref> | ||
People are also hardwired to exclude mutants to increase their own [[reproductive success]].<ref>https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0886260515593546</ref><ref>https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301670151_Adolescent_Bullying_in_Schools_An_Evolutionary_Perspective</ref> People also often forget that [[natural selection]] still sifts out the worst mutations. Hence, maintaining a good gene pool is not the most important issue humanity facing. | |||
== References == | == References == | ||