[Taz's Master]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

We artificially select for traits that make our species weaker and less capable. This (right now) is more than offsetting the natural selection that would normally make us stronger and more capable.

We coddle the weak. We artificially extend lifespans. We reward over-breeding by the poorest and least productive among us. Etc. etc. etc.

The very practice of medicine at all is contrary to the "natural order" of things from a strict evolutionary biology point of view. If we really were interested in selecting for stronger and more viable human beings, we'd stop dispensing medicine to the weakest and most frail members of society and let them die - preferably before breeding. Those with genetic disorders or diseases would be ostracized, etc. It would be a very cold and callous world indeed...

+1 to the Idiocracy comment above also - for every kid born to a stable, well-to-do, two-parent home with good values, involved and supportive parents, etc. in a decent situation that will have a realistic shot at being successful and productive there are probably 1,000 or more born elsewhere in the world into less-than-ideal circumstances (third-world crushing poverty, war zones, disease-stricken regions, etc.) Right here in the good old USA that ratio is probably 1:50 (as a guess off the top of my head) just by itself - not too many kids being born into homes with worthy, supportive parents as opposed to those born to breeders who just have them as unintended consequences of f*cking.

I don't buy this argument, it is essentially the foundation for the "science" of eugenics. It isn't like selective breeding of the best of the best worked out for royalty, why do you think it would be beneficial right now?

Individually/genetically I think we're doing fine. Sure a weak specimen like Stephen Hawkings should be dead in a survival of the fittest paradigm, but it isn't like there are no benefits to protecting the weaker members of the species. Socially, I do not see how we are improving our species, and I think there is going to be significant evolution in our social development, but there will be ample superior genetic material with which to work.