Is human evolution finally over? February 4, 2002 | Source: The
Observer A group of biologists believe a Western lifestyle now
protects humanity from the forces that used to shape Homo
sapiens — virtually everybody’s genes are making it to the next
generation, not only those who are best adapted to their
environments. In addition, human populations are now being
constantly mixed, again producing a blending that blocks
evolutionary change. Peter Ward, of the University of
Washington, in his book, Future Evolution, argues that modern
Western life protects people from the effects of evolution. “I
don’t think we are going to see any changes — apart from ones we
deliberately introduce ourselves, when we start to bio-engineer
people, by introducing genes into their bodies, so they live
longer or are stronger and healthier.” However, other scientists
believe evolutionary pressures are still operating. For example,
the biologist Christopher Wills, of the University of
California, San Diego, argues that ideas are now