The theory of natural selection has it that individuals withbetter genes tend to survive and reproduce, passing their genes totheir offspring. This gradual process results in a population moreadapted at survival. However, due to the advancement in medicalscience, humans with poorer genes tend to survive and reproducejust as well.
For example, in the past, many people, excluding those withnatural immunity due to some genetic mutations, would havesuccumbed to illnesses such as malaria and typhoid. But with betterhygiene and medical treatment, these patients tend to survive.
Now, imagine a future where all illnesses including cancer canbe treated. How would it impact the survival of the human race?Would we become more and more vulnerable such that our survivalhinges heavily on medical technology, analogous to how anastronaut's survival is dependent on his spacesuit?
The theory of natural selection has it that individuals withbetter genes tend to survive and reproduce, passing their genes totheir offspring. This gradual process results in a population moreadapted at survival. However, due to the advancement in medicalscience, humans with poorer genes tend to survive and reproducejust as well.
For example, in the past, many people, excluding those withnatural immunity due to some genetic mutations, would havesuccumbed to illnesses such as malaria and typhoid. But with betterhygiene and medical treatment, these patients tend to survive.
Now, imagine a future where all illnesses including cancer canbe treated. How would it impact the survival of the human race?Would we become more and more vulnerable such that our survivalhinges heavily on medical technology, analogous to how anastronaut's survival is dependent on his spacesuit?
